Everton's impressive start to the season has improved the club's chances of keeping Danish midfielder Thomas Gravesen.

Gravesen, out of contract next summer, has had a new three-year contract on the table since the beginning of the campaign.

He has so far played a waiting game, choosing to see exactly where Everton were heading after so many player departures.

The delay, and the fact the January transfer window is just around the corner, had made many fear Gravesen would either have to be sold or would want to quit Merseyside at the end of the season - probably to return to German football.

But this week his representatives held preliminary talks with Everton chief executive Keith Wyness prior to the Carling Cup third-round tie with Preston.

And now it has been revealed that formal discussions will start in January, with the chance that the influential midfielder will decide to sign a new deal.

That will take a great weight off boss David Moyes' mind as he bids to maintain Everton's remarkable start to the season.

The Goodison side face Aston Villa in third place in the Barclays Premiership and with only one defeat in any competition since the first day of the season.

Clearly it is this vast improvement in Everton's fortunes since the turmoil of the summer that has made Gravesen reconsider his position.

The Dane had been horrified by the long list of departures - including Wayne Rooney - and would have been forgiven in the summer for believing the club was on an unstoppable downward plunge.

But the atmosphere has changed as has, seemingly, Gravesen's desire to find a new club.

Moyes said: "Keith Wyness is dealing with the contract situations but if that means Thomas is talking about his future, that is great news for us."

Gravesen, rested for the victory over Preston, will return to the fray against the Midlanders while it is almost certain skipper Alan Stubbs will be passed fit following a calf injury sidelined him in midweek.

Lee Carsley is suspended and Gary Naysmith remains sidelined with an ankle injury, so Moyes does not have too many choices to make - either Joseph Yobo or Steve Watson will fill Carsley's midfield role.

Moyes knows a third win in eight days after the league success over Norwich and Tuesday's victory against Preston, will send Everton into their trip to Chelsea next week in great heart.

He says: "It's another home game and another chance to cement our position in the top three - and that is something that is great to say.

"But we don't take anything for granted, we have to work hard to stay there just as we have had to work hard to get into this position.

"If the players keep doing what they are doing, we will be okay.

"This has been an important week with two wins already, so it is very important to keep this form going.

"We want to continue the way we have been playing. There is a lot of confidence and we have had a string of good results.

"The comeback to win at Norwich told me a lot about my players, they had to dig deep to get the winner after conceding a 2-0 lead."