Fresh doubts over Andrew Johnson's Everton future
ANDREW JOHNSON'S Everton future was thrown into fresh doubt last night as he missed the friendly win at Preston.
The striker left Deepdale after he was left out of David Moyes's 17-man squad.
Johnson was included in the side for the previous friendly against Cambridge United at the weekend and played a full 90 minutes.
And he is believed to have been fit for selection for the game against North End but wasn't even named among the substitutes.
Speculation that Everton are close to accepting a bid in the region of £10million for him has intensified this week, with Fulham, Wigan and Sunderland ready to pounce.
But the Goodison club have so far only intended to consider cashing in on their former record signing when they have another forward lined up to replace him.
Everton officials made no comment on the situation last night.
On the field, Phil Jagielka scored the winning goal as Everton bounced back from Saturday's 4-2 defeat to Cambridge to record their first victory of the pre-season campaign.
And it was the improved defensive display from Jagielka and his colleagues in keeping a clean sheet that was the most pleasing aspect for Moyes's assistant Steve Round.
He revealed that the manager had come down hard on them following their second-half demise at the Abbey Stadium.
He said: "The back four, who were all senior, were excellent, especially after the Cambridge game where they weren't really at the races after a tough opening two weeks of pre-season.
"They didn't live up to their reputations in that game and the manager was quite tough with them afterwards but in this game they were outstanding."
Meanwhile, Phil Neville has expressed his confidence that Moyes will commit his long-term future to Everton.
The Everton captain witnessed the impact of continuity at former club Manchester United, where Alex Ferguson has been in charge for 22 years and the player won 10 major trophies in 10 years.
Moyes is only the second manager Neville has played for and he is convinced the same commitment to keeping their manager can help Everton maintain their own levels of success. Although Moyes has agreed in principle with chairman Bill Kenwright to sign a new contract, he is yet to put pen to paper.
"The whole club has been shaped by David Moyes so it would be a massive, massive disaster for him to leave," said Neville. "But I am sure that is not going to happen, I am sure he will be here for years to come."
"The manager is the focal point of the club.
"He is the one who has helped the club progress, he plays a large part in getting players in and keeping players happy, that is why we play so well, he motivates us and trains us well every day.
"It is so important the continuity continues with David Moyes because you look at successful teams and they have all had managers that have stayed there a long time. And that has been the recipe of success at Everton in the last 10 years."
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