As a lone striker, making endless runs behind the opponents’ defence, the ex-Crystal Palace man thrived in his first season.

However, once Yakubu appeared on the scene it wasn’t too long before his coolness in front of goal and all-round ability made him first name on the teamsheet.

That meant Johnson dropped to the bench or played alongside the Nigerian; a position that he never looked very comfortable with.

Indeed, when Tim Cahill’s fit he looks more the sort of partner who will get the best out of Yakubu.

Or maybe it’s going to be Diego Milito from Real Zaragoza, the latest fancy striker linked to us.

While Duncan Ferguson-style centre- forwards are more or less a thing of the past now at the top level, someone who can hold the ball up a bit and is half-decent in the air would seem a more natural foil for Yakubu than the pacy and persistent Johnson, and if not Milito then a player like that could well fit the bill.

If Johnson is to leave after a relatively short Everton career then hopefully a deal can be worked out somewhere that proves beneficial to both him and to Everton.

With all due respect to the good folk of Wigan and Sunderland though, you would have thought he could do a bit better than the JJB or the Stadium of Light, the two places he is being most strongly connected with.

So, with no new signing yet, the government continuing to dither over a decision concerning calling in the Destination Kirkby project, delayed kit releases and what looks like a pretty lengthy injury list before pre-season gets under way in earnest, we really could do with a bit of positive news for a change.

The release of Joseph Yobo’s brother over in Nigeria wouldn’t be bad for starters.