Everton

Ferrari wants Everton deal talks
Everton's Italian defender Matteo Ferrari wants to talk to the club about extending his stay at Goodison Park. The 26-year-old's season-long loan ends this summer, and he had been expected to return to Roma after claims he has had trouble settling on Merseyside. His spell has also been blighted with ankle and hamstring problems. However, he said: "If Everton want me permanently, or just want to extend my loan for another season, I think it is time to start to think about that." He added: "I would like to know where I will play next season soon. "The only thing I know for 100% is that I have a contract with Roma and if nothing happens then I will go back. "The main issue is that I would like to prove I am a Premiership player. I have not really had this chance so I would like to have next season as well." Ferrari has played just 13 matches this term.

Carsley launches red card appeal
Everton midfielder Lee Carsley has launched an appeal against the red card he received against Chelsea on Monday. The 32-year-old was dismissed for a lunge on striker Didier Drogba in the second half of Everton's 3-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge. Toffees boss David Moyes insisted after the match that, while the tackle was late, it did not warrant a red card. And the club have filed an official appeal which will be considered by the Disciplinary Commission on 20 April. If unsuccessful, Carsley is likely to be banned for up to three matches, effectively ruling him out of the rest of Everton's campaign. The Republic of Ireland international has played just five league matches this season following a medial ligament injury.

Everton v Birmingham
Everton defenders Tony Hibbert and Alan Stubbs are both expected to be out again with groin problems while Mikel Arteta (ankle) is also a doubt. Fellow midfielder Lee Carsley lost an appeal against his red card at Chelsea on Monday and starts a three-match ban. Winger Jermaine Pennant (groin) and striker Emile Heskey (ankle) face late fitness tests for Birmingham. But midfielder David Dunn is set to be out for the rest of the campaign after picking up a calf injury. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Everton boss David Moyes: "We can't let the season peter out. We have good lads here, honest players and they do not just lie down, they have a go regardless of what the match is. "We have to put on a show for our own supporters, it is the least they would expect. "Anyone who saw us against Chelsea will know that we gave everything. I couldn't have asked for any more, and now when we need to bounce back I am confident my players will respond." Birmingham boss Steve Bruce: "Our home form has given us a huge opportunity. The must-win games, beating Bolton and Blackburn, and getting a point against Chelsea have been an excellent return for us. "I also thought we were unfortunate not to get something at Aston Villa last weekend despite what Mr O'Leary has said. "We've got to go and produce a performance at Everton like we have done over the last few weeks and hopefully that will be enough to get a result and keep our noses in front and out of the bottom three."

Everton set to extend Martyn stay
Everton are ready to offer veteran goalkeeper Nigel Martyn a new deal if he recovers fully from ankle surgery. The 39-year-old former England star has been out since January and is currently on his way back to fitness after a hairline fracture. Everton have put all contract talks on hold until the end of the season. But Sir Stanley understands Martyn will be offered a new one-year contract if he proves his fitness after having a plaster removed from his ankle. Martyn's right foot and ankle are in plaster - he also has wear and tear problems with his left ankle - and he is due to see a specialist next week for a further assessment. Everton manager David Moyes said: "I hope Nigel will come back. He sees a specialist in the middle of next week, his right foot and ankle are in plaster, and he has problems with the other ankle too. "The decisions will be made once the specialist has had a good look at him, and then how Nigel sees his own future. "All we can do is wait and see. We would want Nigel to stay here, but he will need the all-clear from the specialist and from his point of view he would want to make sure he was not going to damage himself in any way that would affect his future life. "He has been great for us, we got him for virtually nothing and he has been a fantastic signing for us. That is why Richard Wright has had to play second fiddle because Nigel has done so well." Martyn has been outstanding for Everton since he moved to Goodison Park from Leeds United for a nominal fee in August 2003. He suffered a new setback in March when it was discovered he had a hairline fracture after spendingthe previous two months on the sidelines.

Everton 0-0 Birmingham
Birmingham earned a precious point in their battle against relegation after a dour stalemate at Everton. Steve Bruce's side were second-best for most of a desperately poor game, but restricted Everton to few chances. Maik Taylor saved well from Leon Osman and David Weir, while James Beattie had a close-range effort ruled out for offside after 54 minutes. Birmingham's Jermaine Pennant had snap shot wide early on, but Steve Bruce's side were content with a point. Birmingham were lifted when Pennant and Emile Heskey passed late fitness tests - leaving Mikael Forssell on the bench after his late winner against Blackburn. And Pennant almost gave Birmingham the perfect start, but his volley was narrowly off target. But Everton were dominant for most of the first-half, with Phil Neville shooting just wide and Leon Osman seeing a 20-yard drive turned over the top by Taylor. Everton were forced into a change at half-time when Tim Cahill limped off with a knee injury sustained after an aerial challenge which also saw Birmingham's Damien Johnson suffer a head wound. Beattie had a goal ruled out for offside after 54 minutes when he turned in from close-range after Taylor had saved Osman's shot. Taylor then came to Birmingham's rescue again as he dived low to his right to save from Weir. Both sides made changes after 67 minutes, with Duncan Ferguson replacing Andy van der Meyde and Birmingham sending on Forssell and DJ Campbell for Heskey and Pennant. But the game petered out into a tame draw, with Everton unable to produce any real quality and Birmingham showing a surprising lack of urgency given their desperate plight. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Everton manager David Moyes: "We had the majority of the play, but we didn't pass the ball as quickly or crisply as we had been doing in the second half. "In recent weeks we haven't been able to buy a goal. We had some great crosses in but we didn't produce in the final third. "We've had problems all season getting goals and it cost us again because we really should have won that game." Birmingham manager Steve Bruce: "The disappointing thing is the situation is now out of our hands, but I still think there are some major twists left. "All we can do now is keep going and try to put some pressure on Portsmouth by beating Newcastle next week. "We are fortunate in that we are putting together our best sequence of results through the whole season. "If someone had said to me in January, when we only had 12 points, that we would still be alive at this stage, I would have taken it." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Everton: Wright, Neville, Yobo, Weir, Naysmith, Osman, Davies, Cahill (Kilbane 45), Van der Meyde (Ferguson 68), Beattie, McFadden (Anichebe 84). Subs Not Used: Turner, Stubbs. Birmingham: Maik Taylor, Melchiot, Cunningham, Martin Taylor, Sadler, Pennant (Campbell 68), Johnson, Butt, Gray, Heskey (Forssell 68), Sutton. Subs Not Used: Vaesen, Nafti, Bruce. Booked: Melchiot, Cunningham, Butt, Sadler. Att: 35,420. Ref: M Halsey (Lancashire).

Everton legend Labone dies at 66
Former Everton captain Brian Labone has died at the age of 66 after collapsing outside his Merseyside home. Labone joined Everton at 17, making 534 appearances for the Toffees in a career in which he was only booked twice. Rated one of the best central defenders of his era, Labone won two Championship titles and an FA Cup winner's medal with the Toffees. He also won 26 caps for England, playing in three of England's four matches at the 1970 Word Cup in Mexico. Labone joined Everton as a teenager in preference to going to university and although initially part of England's 1966 World Cup squad, he withdrew because of his impending marriage. His playing career was ended during the 1970-71 season through an Achilles tendon injury, but he remained with Everton, working for the club in a commercial capacity. Former Everton player and manager Howard Kendall was a team-mate of Labone's for seven years at Goodison Park, playing alongside him in the Toffees' 1969-70 Championship winning side. Kendall said: "He was a great player and a great leader. "He didn't shout his way through the team, he led by example and his performances on the pitch were tremendous. "He was an outstanding player and a gentleman, it's a tragic loss."

Cahill rocked by six-week lay-off
Everton midfielder Tim Cahill faces six weeks on the sidelines because of knee ligament damage. Cahill was substituted during Saturday's 0-0 draw with Birmingham after a collision with Damien Johnson. The 26-year-old will miss Everton's remaining fixtures of the season against Middlesbrough and West Brom. And the Australia international now faces a race to be fit in time for his country's opening World Cup match against Japan on 12 June. The Socceroos face Brazil in their second Group F game six days later and that is followed by a game against Croatia on 22 June. Cahill had a scan on his left knee on Monday and then visited a specialist on Tuesday - where the full extent of the injury was revealed. And Everton physio Mick Rathbone said: "As regards to the World Cup, he will obviously be a big doubt and will be receiving intensive physiotherapy." Meanwhile, the Australian Football Federation are confident that injured trio Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka and Mark Schwarzer will be fit in time to feature in the World Cup opener. Liverpool midfielder Kewell has a groin injury while Middlesbrough pair Viduka and Schwarzer have thigh and fractured cheekbone injuries respectively. "There's nothing there at the moment that would indicate they are in danger for the World Cup," said Federation chief executive John O'Neill. "Precautions are being taken, but there's nothing earth-shattering there."

Middlesbrough v Everton
Middlesbrough return to Premiership action after their Uefa Cup heroics and have doubts surrounding three players. Skipper Gareth Southgate and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink have hamstring injuries, while Mark Viduka aggravated a thigh problem in Thursday's victory. Everton look set to field Republic of Ireland midfielder Kevin Kilbane at The Riverside as Tim Cahill is sidelined. Mikel Arteta, Nuno Valente, Lee Carsley, Tony Hibbert and Nigel Martyn are also all unavailable. Everton boss David Moyes: "The job is to raise expectations and I wanted to finish fourth like last season. But unless you have big money that is not going to happen regularly. "We have had an up and down season. We started poorly, had a good middle and the last four to five weeks have been disappointing. "We wanted to finish well and if we can get six points from the final matches that will make things a lot rosier. However we still feel we have not achieved what we set out to do."

Middlesbrough 0-1 Everton
James McFadden struck a minute from time to give Everton a deserved win against a much-changed Middlesbrough. Boss Steve McClaren made nine changes from the side that won the Uefa Cup semi-final against Steaua Bucharest, and they almost battled to a point. But McFadden sealed the points with a clever lob from Leon Osman's pass. Everton, who lost keeper Richard Wright through injury, were only troubled by Yakubu, who missed several chances in a low-key encounter. Yakubu was recalled to the starting line-up, with midweek goal heroes Massimo Maccarone, Mark Viduka and Chris Riggott left out. The makeshift nature of Middlesbrough's side, facing an Everton team without a goal in four games, was evident in a dreadful first 45 minutes. Osman shot over the top for Everton and James Beattie's free-kick was turned to safety by keeper Brad Jones. Beattie was narrowly off target seconds after the break, but Everton suffered a blow after 51 minutes when keeper Wright was injured in a challenge with Malcolm Christie. He appeared to suffer a knee injury and was replaced by Iain Turner. Boro were creating openings of their own, with Yakubu seeing a shot deflected narrowly wide and then heading inches off target. Jones then saved brilliantly from McFadden's free-kick - and the Scot shot narrowly wide as Everton threatened a breakthrough. Yakubu was Boro's main threat, and he wasted a great chance to seal victory five minutes from time when he turned two Everton defenders, but fired wide. It was Everton who made the breakthrough as time ran out, with Osman's superb pass releasing McFadden, who lofted his finish over the advancing Jones. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren: "I would have been disappointed coming in at 0-0 so it was a big blow, not just myself but for the young players, to lose it. "We finished with eight Academy boys on the park and we dominated for long periods. "When I reflect there are a lot of positives, if I can just get over the disappointment of losing. "I'm enjoying it here. The last couple of months have been a rollercoaster and now we've got to look forward to the Uefa Cup final." Everton assistant manager Alan Irvine: "In the first half we didn't pass the ball well and we were second to most things. We didn't play well at all. "They were sorted out by the manager David Moyes at half-time and we are delighted with the win. "Goalscoring has been a problem at different times. It has been a long wait and it was very welcome when it came. "We were getting closer and I felt as the game went on we looked the more likely to score, although Yakubu had a good chance. "It was vitally important to get a win. We don't want to finish the season on a poor run. "Having come off the back of an excellent run before that, we didn't want it to finish with a whimper. "It was a big game for us and we weren't going through the motions." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Middlesbrough: Jones, McMahon, Wheater, Ehiogu, Taylor, Morrison, Parlour, Doriva (Cattermole 72), Johnson, Christie (Graham 72), Yakubu. Subs Not Used: Knight, Davies, Bates. Booked: Parlour, Cattermole. Everton: Wright (Turner 54), Yobo, Weir, Stubbs, Naysmith, McFadden, Davies, Neville, Van der Meyde (Kilbane 45), Osman, Beattie. Subs Not Used: Nuno Valente, Anichebe, Vidarsson. Booked: Naysmith, Yobo. Goals: McFadden 89. Att: 29,224 Ref: L Mason (Lancashire).

Everton play down Cahill comeback
Everton have denied reports that midfielder Tim Cahill is close to a return to training in his recovery from knee ligament damage. The Australian international, 26, was injured during the Toffees' clash with Birmingham on 22 April and was ruled out of action for six weeks. Everton physio Mick Rathbone told the website: "He's made good progress but is not close to returning to training. "In about two-and-a-half weeks post-injury he'll start light jogging." Cahill faces a race to be fit in time for his country's opening World Cup match against Japan on 12 June. The Socceroos face Brazil in their second Group F game six days later and that is followed by a game against Croatia on 22 June. Rathbone added: "He is about 11 days post-injury now and is doing some light work on the exercise bike. "Tim has another appointment with the consultant in two weeks' time for a further scan. We will evaluate then and see how it goes from there."

Everton poised for Lescott move
Everton are ready to step up their interest in Wolves defender Joleon Lescott after letting on-loan Matteo Ferrari return to AS Roma. Toffees boss David Moyes said Ferrari has been sent back to Italy because he was chasing another player instead. Everton have been regularly linked with the £4m-rated 23-year-old Lescott. "I've got other alternatives at the moment, that's why I decided not to pursue it with Ferrari," said Moyes. "There might be a new one coming in."

Everton to hijack Wigan Huth move
Everton are set to beat Wigan to the signing of Chelsea defender Robert Huth, Sir stanley understands. The Toffees - who are also going to pip the Latics to the signing of Crystal Palace striker Andy Johnson - will have a £5.5m bid accepted by Chelsea. And the Goodison Park club are confident Huth will choose them ahead of Wigan, just as Johnson has. Centre-back Huth, 21, is currently with the German national team in Geneva preparing for the World Cup. He has said previously that he will have showdown talks with boss Jose Mourinho about his lack of first-team action. "I've not heard about Wigan's interest. All I know is that I am not happy at the moment. After the World Cup I will speak to Jose Mourinho," he said. He added: "Even a transfer to the Bundesliga is a possibility. It's all open. Nothing has been decided yet." However, it is understood Everton are now in pole position to land the player.

Johnson poised for Everton switch
England striker Andrew Johnson is expected to complete his £8.5m switch from Crystal Palace to Everton within the next 48 hours. The 25-year-old undertook a medical on Monday ahead of signing a four-year deal worth about £40,000 a week. "After several days of careful consideration, I have decided that my footballing future lies at Goodison Park," he told Everton's website. Palace will get more than £5m up front from the Premiership side. A bidding war for the services of Johnson had taken place during the last two weeks with Wigan and Bolton matching the £8.5m offered by Everton. But the former Birmingham star decided his heart was set on a move to Merseyside. He added: "I find the prospect of playing for one of the biggest names in British football impossible to resist. "I believe Everton will afford me the best opportunity to fulfil my twin ambitions of winning major honours and representing England again at senior level." Johnson met with Wigan boss Paul Jewell and chairman Dave Whelan last Friday, while Bolton were also keen to hold talks with the player who netted 21 goals in the 2004-05 Premiership season. "I would like to thank both Wigan and Bolton, firstly for having sufficient faith in my abilities to lodge a bid and secondly for being so courteous and professional during the course of our negotiations," Johnson added. The striker is currently on standby for the World Cup squad and was at a training session on Monday at Old Trafford ahead of Tuesday's friendly against Hungary.

Everton bid for Lescott accepted
Wolves central defender Joleon Lescott is poised to join Everton after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed fee. The £5.5m-rated 23-year-old had been linked to newly-promoted Reading and Spanish side Sevilla but has travelled to Merseyside for talks and a medical. Everton chief executive Keith Wyness told the club website: "We have now concluded our discussions with Wolves." Everton are also believed to be keen on Chelsea's Robert Huth but face fierce competition to sign him. Wigan were reported to have had a £5.5m bid accepted by the Stamford Bridge club, while Middlesbrough and Newcastle also appear to be interested in landing the German international. Everton have already beaten Wigan and Bolton to the signature of striker Andrew Johnson for £8.6m. Johnson completed his move from Crystal Palace on Wednesday and Wolves have confirmed that Lescott is poised to be Everton's next signing. Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey said: "We have been in discussion with a number of clubs interested in signing Joleon and have agreed a transfer fee with Everton. "Joleon is undergoing a medical examination and, subject to the outcome of that, we expect to conclude the transfer, which will reflect the player's value."

Van der Meyde denies exit report
Everton winger Andy van der Meyde has insisted he is happy to stay at the club and fight for his place. There were reports the 26-year-old was seeking a move to Italy after making only seven league starts last season. But the Dutch international told Everton's website: \"I love it here. Everything suits my game. Why would I want to go back to Italy? \"I'm happy in England. I want to show I can really play football. If I get the chance next season, I'll do it.\" The Dutch star has been plagued with injuries since his £2m move from Inter Milan in August 2005 and has failed to live up to his exciting reputation. He was also omitted from Holland's World Cup squad after previously being a regular. Everton have bought striker Andrew Johnson and defender Joleon Lescott to strengthen their squad, but Van der Meyde believes he can find a role in the team. He added: \"The gaffer has been great and I just want to do what I enjoy most now and that is play football. I want to do it for Everton.\"

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