Everton manager David Moyes has heaped praise on a trio of players who he believes can go on to become managers.

The Toffees boss said that Australian star Tim Cahill, current skipper Phil Neville and midfielder Leon Osman all have potential to lead teams down the track, saying their leadership and knowledge of the game is of managerial quality.

"I say to the players, 'If I wasn't here one week, I'd expect you to turn up and know exactly how to play, what to do," Moyes told the Liverpool Echo.

"We are getting to a level and the players know the level that we want. In a way, the players are young managers themselves.

"Tim Cahill, Phil Neville and Leon Osman, they see how it is and, in the future, they could go on to become good, young managers."