Moyes rules out Donovan return

Everton manager David Moyes has ruled out the return of Landon Donovan and insisted the club have received no offers for Leighton Baines.

Donovan enjoyed a spell at Goodison Park last season when he joined on loan from LA Galaxy during the MLS off season.

Everton had hoped for a repeat this term, but Moyes said: “I spoke with Landon last Friday night and said he felt he needed to give his body a rest.”

“He’s had a long year or two and he’s let it be known that he won’t be coming on loan.”

“I understand his views and his wishes but I understand he has said he’ll pop over and see us during his holiday but it certainly won’t be to play.”

Baines has been heavily linked with a move to German giants Bayern Munich but Moyes insisted he has no intention of selling the left-back.

“As far as I can see it can only be speculation because there’s been no contact but it has made a lot of headlines,” Moyes said.

“There has been no contact with our club. He has been in good form and he’s rightly getting admiration from big clubs. But we don’t let our top players go, we keep our good players and that’s my intention.”

Meanwhile, Moyes is hoping for a Christmas miracle from defender Phil Jagielka.

The England international looks set to miss the Boxing Day clash with Birmingham because of a thigh injury.

But Moyes said: “I don’t know if he’s completely out yet, we’ll wait and see – we think he’s out but miracles do happen at this time of year don’t they?”

Everton beat Manchester City 2-1 at Eastlands on Monday, their first Premier League win since October.

Now Moyes is aiming for a strong festive run.

“I think for us we have to try and get some good results to make sure we get away from the bottom of the table,” he said.

“If we win them all then we’ll be towards the top end of the table. Until we’re completely away from the bottom end we can’t talk about the top.”