Everton won't up offer for Sheffield United's Kyle Naughton

Jul 14 2009 Ian Doyle

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Goodison officials are deeply unhappy with the conduct of the Blades, and see their apparent reneging on an agreement as unethical from a club that made such a fuss about the Carlos Tevez situation two years ago.

And they will stick to their guns over their initial fee for the full-back and will not be drawn into a possible three-way auction, with Everton hopeful Naughton’s desire to move to Goodison remains undimmed.

Meanwhile, it is unlikely Yakubu will be fully fit for the start of the Premier League season.

The striker will meet a consultant in London today to discuss the final stage of rehabilitation from the Achilles injury he sustained at Tottenham Hotspur last November.

Yakubu has been confident of being available for the campaign opener against Arsenal on August 15.

But head of physio Mick Rathbone said: “To say he is touch and go is a fair assessment. He’s probably a little bit ahead of schedule and we’re pleased with him but it’s a big step from being with me to actually starting a game in the Premier League so there’s a bit of water to go under the bridge yet.

“He’s doing really, really well but obviously he had a really nasty injury. I’m going to London with him tonight to see the consultant who I’m pretty sure will give us the go ahead to get him involved in the final stages of pre- season.”

Phil Jagielka will meet with his surgeon tomorrow to determine whether he can step up his recovery from the cruciate ligament injury that has sidelined him for the past three months.