Express Mortgages Express Loans Bingo Lose Weight Franchising Dating Shopping Book Shop Compare Broadband Wine Shop Legal Store FlatShare Cruises

FOOTBALL

MOYES EYES LARSSON SWOOP

LARSSON: Currently free agent

Tuesday December 2,2008

By Paul Joyce

DAVID MOYES is preparing a bid to sign Henrik Larsson on a short-term deal to solve his striker crisis.

The Everton boss has just one fit forward on the books as Yakubu was ruled out for the season after rupturing his Achilles in the 1-0 win at Tottenham on Sunday.

James Vaughan had a knee operation in America yesterday and Louis Saha is suffering from a hamstring problem – leaving Victor Anichebe, 20, as the only striker match fit.

Swedish star Larsson, 37, is a free agent after reaching the start of a winter break with club side Helsingborgs and Moyes will look to persuade him to return to the Premier League in a repeat of his brief spell with Manchester United almost two years ago.

Larsson spent two months at Old Trafford, scoring three goals in 13 games, and remains in good form having netted 15 goals in 27 matches for Helsingborgs.

Larsson has kept in shape by playing indoor hockey and could be tempted by a move abroad rather than re-signing for the Swedish side. He said: “It’s been a good way of keeping in shape for when the Helsingborgs training camp starts. Not that I’ll definitely be going back.

“I’m a free agent and have not yet decided what to do. I like Helsingborgs, but I want to see a change of attitude and in the way the club is run.

“I’ve not completely closed my mind to the idea of going abroad again, so we’ll see.”

Everton chairman and owner Bill Kenwright will find some cash for Moyes to spend in January.

But Moyes admitted last week he would be mainly pursuing free transfers and loan signings – and Larsson fits that criteria. Otherwise, Moyes could look at Kleber, a Brazilian striker on loan at Palmerias from Dynamo Kiev.

Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar, who hit the winner at White Hart Lane, admits that Yakubu will be missed.

He said: “The presence of Yakubu in the team has always been great. We’re halfway through the season and to lose him is a blow.

“It is part of football now and you just have to stay focused and that is what we told him. We’ve got quality players and other people will get their chance now and have to take it.”