Everton's Jagielka determined to keep the back door shut against Italians

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But if David Moyes' men are to reach the quarter-finals - and the former Cup Winners Cup holders have never recovered from such a position - Jagielka warns that the Italians cannot be allowed to score again.

Everton's former England Under 21 defender said: "If it's goalless at half-time or after 60 minutes, we're still in the game. But if we were to go a goal down after 10 minutes it might make things too hard for us."

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Everton's precarious situation after slipping up in Florence means Jagielka must maintain his recent high standards at centre half against Christian Vieri, who still presents a major threat at the age of 34.

"He's a fantastic player who must have been even better when he was in his prime," said Jagielka.

"He's still got quality, strength and finishing, so it's something we need to be aware of because if we go gung-ho and give them opportunities, the tie will be harder to win than it is already."

Jagielka, 25, is enjoying life back at the club who rejected him as a 15-yearold. He believes they did him a favour as he established himself at Sheffield United before a £4million return.

He said: "If I'd stayed, I might not be in football now - people who were seen as better than me at the time are playing in lower leagues or no longer in the game. But I went to Sheffield and got my chance.

"When I went there on trial I got chucked in with the youth team. They were so used to being with each other every day, playing practical jokes. It was a little bit harder for me.

"There were no shinpads and people were smashing you. I was thinking: 'What's going on here?' But it made me mature. I left school, left home, went to live in Sheffield and grew up."

Jagielka, who played in midfield, at full-back and even in goal for Sheffield United, needed reassurance from Moyes that he was not out his depth after his summer move.

He said: "I couldn't have asked for a better season in the end. A few months ago I wouldn't have been able to tell you where I'd be playing. I feel settled at centre back, that's where I will play my best football."

Jagielka, who celebrated several cup upsets in seven years at Bramall Lane, added: "I expect the fans to come here and believe, as we do, that we can overturn this 2-0 deficit.

"I hope on Thursday morning that I'm looking forward to the UEFA Cup quarter-final draw and thinking about what a massive learning curve that was, knocking out Fiorentina."

Moyes is also hoping for that outcome, but admits the task of beating the Italians has given him sleepless nights.

He said: "I have never stopped thinking about possible scenarios since that first-leg game.

"I did not sleep after the match but hopefully we can put into practice something that makes us play better against them tomorrow.

"It was a bit strange over there as we did not play as well as we can. We have done well enough in the UEFA Cup to get to this stage, apart from one game in Italy. It means we have a big task but one that can be overcome."