Everton vs Birmingham preview - Moyes unsurprised by Baines interest

Posted Sunday, December 26, 2010 by PA

Everton boss David Moyes is not surprised clubs of Bayern Munich's ilk might be interested in in-form left-back Leighton Baines.

Baines has rubbished suggestions he might leave Goodison Park following fresh speculation linking him with the German giants.

The former Wigan defender has been one of Everton's few standout players during a difficult first half of the campaign and he is tipped for an England recall.

Yet while that maybe attracting attention, Moyes - like the player himself - is adamant the 26-year-old will not be moving.

Moyes said: "As far as I can see it can only be speculation. There has been no contact but it seems to have got quite a lot of headlines.

"He is in good form, undoubtedly. He is rightly getting admiration from big clubs but I can guarantee, to my office, there has been no contact. We don't let our top players go, we keep them."

Baines signed a five-year contract last summer and intends to honour that despite reports Bayern are preparing to table a #9million bid next month.

"I tied myself to the club in the summer and I have no intentions at the moment of leaving the club," said Baines, who scored in a memorable 2-1 defeat of Manchester City on Monday.

"I am not looking elsewhere and I am completely focused on what I am doing here."

Moyes has eased fears defender Phil Jagielka could face a long spell on the sidelines.

The England centre-half was substituted with a thigh injury during Monday's impressive win at Eastlands.

The 28-year-old is still a major doubt for the Boxing Day clash against Birmingham at Goodison Park but Moyes does not expect his absence to be a lengthy one.

When asked how long he could be out, Moyes said: "I'm not sure. We're hoping that he might not be too long but he is certainly a doubt for the game against Birmingham, as is Johnny Heitinga, so we could have a problem at centre-half if we don't get one of them fit."

Heitinga has been out for the last two matches with a knee problem.

Midfielder Steven Pienaar is hoping to return after missing the Eastlands victory with a groin injury and playmaker Mikel Arteta returns after suspension.

Striker Victor Anichebe is banned after his sending off on Monday.

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has played down the possibility of trying to sign Aston Villa striker John Carew during the January transfer window.

But he has "not closed the door" on LA Galaxy striker Edson Bubble who has returned home after training with Blues for the past week.

Carew, Villa's leading scorer for the past three seasons, has struggled to make an impression during the first half of the current campaign.

He was also involved in a public fall-out with Villa manager Gerard Houllier.

But McLeish is cool on the idea of signing the Norwegian international - out of contract in the summer - should he become available in January.

He said: "I have always liked John Carew as a player and I tried to take him to Rangers. But he is not someone I have thought about."

As regards Buddle, McLeish said: "He has gone back and we will keep the door open.

"We are not in the position to make any offers at the moment because we are looking to try and bring a more experienced player into the club. We've not closed the door. He did okay."

Blues defender Liam Ridgewell is poised to return. Ridgewell was forced to miss City's last match, against Wolves nearly two weeks ago, through illness and was replaced by David Murphy.

Midfielder Alexander Hleb has returned to training after being sidelined for almost a month with a hamstring injury suffered in the 1-1 draw at Fulham.

McLeish has to decide whether the on loan Barcelona player has regained sufficient sharpness to be involved in some capacity against the Toffees.