Moyes ready to offload Ferguson
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The clock is running out on Duncan Ferguson's Everton career after his injury jinx held up his latest attempt at a comeback.
Ferguson – made captain at Goodison Park when David Moyes first arrived to take over as manager from Walter Smith – could even be made available when the transfer window reopens as his stock falls to its lowest level.
The frustration for player and club grew as Ferguson picked up a bruised and gashed ankle in his previous reserve appearance and was unable to play on Tuesday, with his next run-out now a couple of weeks away. Everton will be lucky to have the Scot available before mid-October and there is a growing feeling that he will be offered around – even for nothing – when the market opens in January.
Ferguson's big salary is a drain on the club and this latest lengthy absence follows many others in the past. Ferguson's only sustained run in the side since his return from Newcastle United was when Moyes first took over, but the physical demands of the new regime seem too much for him.
There is little chance that Everton would be able to claw back any of the money they spent on Ferguson because of his injury track record, but there are potential employers if he is available for nothing. However, Ferguson will have to make some form of appearance before the end of the year to attract anyone to match the salary of around £35,000-a-week that he is on at the moment.
Meanwhile, Steve Watson is also back on the Everton casualty list, hobbling off 10 minutes into his return with a groin injury that makes him doubtful for a few weeks. But the good news for Moyes is that Joseph Yobo is fit after his ankle problems and should make his first-team debut against Fulham on Saturday if Moyes decides to change the central defensive pairing.
Moyes may yet consider putting Yobo in a full-back position to ease the powerful Nigerian into Premiership action at the start of his spell on Merseyside.
* Tom Hendrie has threatened to take St Mirren to court after they claimed he had resigned. The Scottish First Division club yesterday published a statement which said their former manager had resigned, despite initially stating he had been relieved of his duties on 2 September. He said he has been left with no alternative but to take legal action.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments