Everton's Injury Woes To Be Addressed In January?

It is unlikely that Toffee’s boss David Moyes will have the kinds of transfer funds that Sir Alex Ferguson, Carlo Ancelotti or newly installed Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini will have in the summer, but given Everton’s precarious league position, inconsistent form and the fact that they are still in the Europa League, FA Cup and need to vastly improve their league position, will Moyes be able to add to his injury hit squad come January?

While owner Bill Kenwright will undoubtedly do his very best to secure some level of funding for his manager for January, it has to be said that it is unlikely to be more than £6m-£10m maximum for Moyes to spend in total. Therefore the Everton manager will have to be a little more creative in the market if he is to attempt to bring anyone in.

Of course there is a school of thought that will argue that with the likes of Jagielka and Arteta due back shortly after the New Year from their injuries, Moyes may not need to move into the market. However, even with players coming back from ailments, there is also the fact that some players may be missing due to African Nations Cup commitments, Yobo (if he has recovered from injury) and Yakubu for example. That combined with the likelihood of further niggling injuries for some players over the cold Christmas and New Year period means that Moyes is considering his options carefully as he stated last week;

“The financial situation hasn’t changed, but I need to get new players in now.”

“I’ve got one in and I’m hoping to bring in another two or three because it has got to the point where I can’t keep waiting for the injured players to return”

“I’m working around the clock to see what is available to us, especially a centre-half. That is an absolute priority for us.”

The player Moyes has managed to secure on loan is United States international Landon Donovan. He joins on a two and half month loan deal from Los Angeles Galaxy.

Donovan won’t be the last arrival, indeed only last week the Everton boss was linked with a move for Atletico Madrid winger Maxi Rodriguez. The Argentinean is a talented player but seems to have lost his way at Atletico Madrid and with him nearing the end of his contract, Moyes is keeping close tracks on the Argentinean. However he doesn’t address the key issue of a central defender that Moyes seems so keen to address, given the injuries to Jagielka, Yobo and Distin at the minute.

One possible solution that has been mooted in the press is a move of Tottenham defender Alan Hutton into Everton’s soccer merchandise. Moyes is a firm admirer of the Scottish defender who has failed to settle in London, but Hutton is primarily a right back, although he could fill in centrally if required. The problem for Everton would be persuading Tottenham to let the player go on loan. Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is thought to be willing to let Hutton leave, but only for cash or as part of a player swap deal.

For Moyes and Everton, the hunt for reinforcements goes on, but don’t put it past the Everton boss to snap up a few bargain signings come January to help Everton’s domestic and European push for glory.