Blog

Nigeria’s Joseph Yobo (left) and Benin’s Razak Omotoyosi during their Ghana 2008 African Nations Cup match. Nigeria won 2 - 0

Everton assistant manager Steve Round insists Nigerian duo Yakubu Aiyegbeni andJoseph Yobo are not in line to leave the club this season.

Neither player has featured in the Toffees‘ opening two Premier League games,with striker Yakubu a reported West Ham target and defender Yobo linkedwith a Celtic move.

However, Round has revealed the pair‘s absence is down to them improving their fitness following theirlate return from the World Cup this summer.

The assistant boss says Yobo could run out against Huddersfield in CarlingCup action on Wednesday, and expects both players to play a key role atGoodison Park this term.

”They came back from the World Cup a little bit later and have taken a bit of time to get fitteragain,” Round told Everton‘s official website.

”Joe is in the squad tomorrow (Thursday) and Yak would have been but he picked up a whack in training and is out.

”They are both in contention and will hopefully play a big part in us having a good season.”