Naismith was tempted by Norwich switch

The Express understands that Everton’s hat-trick hero Steven Naismith has admitted that he was tempted by a move to Norwich City during the recently closed transfer window.

The Scotland international was the subject of a £5m bid from the Canaries, though the offer was rejected by Toffees boss Roberto Martinez.

Naismith has struggled to hold down a regular starting berth for the Merseyside club since signing from Rangers in the summer of 2012.

All five of his league appearances so far this season have come as a substitute, including his outing at the weekend when he replaced Muhamed Besic after just nine minutes.

He went on to score a perfect hat-trick in a famous win which lifted Everton up to seventh place in the table.

Next up for Martinez’s men is a trip to the Spaniard’s former club Swansea City on Saturday afternoon, and the away win is priced at 21/10.