Everton striker Andrew Johnson to finally move to Fulham

The 27-year-old will return to London two years after he became Everton's record signing with an £8.6m move from Crystal Palace.

Alan Smith is being lined up as a possible replacement for Johnson and he was missing from the Newcastle side that drew 2-2 with PSV Eindhoven last night.

Meanwhile, Moyes is ready to raid the loan market once more to bolster his Everton squad.

The Goodison Park manager remains determined to bring in the "three or four" big money players he believes his team requires to help them maintain the momentum of last season.

But Moyes is acutely aware that strength in depth remains a concern and is unwilling to place undue pressure on the promising clutch of youngsters that have impressed during pre-season. And, as in previous seasons, he will also pursue temporary arrivals before the transfer window closes at the end of the month. "During last season we let James McFadden and Alan Stubbs go and brought in Manuel Fernandes, Thomas Gravesen and Anthony Gardner on loan," said Moyes.

"Since then all of those have gone back to their clubs and Lee Carsley and Stefan Wessels have also left, so it's easy to see where the gaping whole in the squad has come from.

"If we need to go into the loan market again for some players, then we will do so. We are going to need players for the squad.

"But that doesn't mean I'm not still looking to bring in the three or four players for big money that can make us better."

The government last night called in the plans for the new staidum at Kirkby for a public inquiry, subjecting the scheme to a further delay. But Everton have always maintained that their summer transfer business would be not be dictated by that decision.