Everton tracking Hearts duo Andy Driver and Christophe Berra

Jan 9 2009 by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post

Andy Driver (left) and Christophe Berra 320

EVERTON are ready to step up their interest in Hearts duo Andy Driver and Christophe Berra.

They were watched by Goodison scouts in their 1-0 defeat to Motherwell in the Scottish Premier League on Wednesday as manager David Moyes looks to add some cut-price quality to his squad.

They have already been tracked by Everton on previous occasions this season but the cash crisis-hit Edinburgh club feel shipping out some top earners will ease their worries. In the last financial year they forked out £12.49million on wages against turnover of £10.3m and the current financial climate makes that outlay unsustainable.

It means Moyes has an opportune moment to snap up forward Driver and centre-back Berra, even though he has been doubtful over whether he will have money to spend in January.

The need to ease the wage bill could see Hearts agree to loan deals for the rest of the season, particularly for Oldham-born Driver, who has previously hinted that he wants a move to England.

And with Moyes desperate to add forwards to his squad in the wake of a crippling injury crisis and on a limited budget, the 21-year-old has emerged as a likely addition.

Berra might be a more realistic pursuit in the summer, given that the fee he currently demands would be out of Everton’s price range.

Hearts have previously stated they would only let their 23-year-old captain leave for £10m and he is contracted to the Edinburgh club until 2011.

They have reportedly already refused a £2.5m bid from Fulham for the Scottish international.

Meanwhile, Moyes has sung the praises of makeshift striker Tim Cahill, believing the Australian’s performances have been “the best from a centre-forward” at Goodison all season.

Moyes called upon Cahill to fill the void up front that had been left due to injuries to Yakubu, Louis Saha, James Vaughan and Victor Anichebe. Cahill has helped fire Everton back into the top six of the Premier League, scoring crucial winning goals against Manchester City and Middlesbrough.