ANDREW JOHNSON will not be allowed to leave Goodison until Everton have captured a replacement striker.

The England international is almost certain to depart the club in the transfer window, prompting a race for his signature.

Johnson sat out Everton’s friendly defeat against FC Sion in Switzerland as a precaution after suffering an injury during the team’s training camp.

It sparked talk that the 27-year-old’s exit was imminent, with Wigan Athletic and Sunderland the most prominent bidders.

However, David Moyes will not sanction the sale of Johnson until a new striker has been identified, with Real Zaragoza’s Argentina international Diego Milito still the Goodison manager’s preferred choice.

Despite reports over the weekend naming Fulham as the latest team to register an interest in Johnson, it is believed unlikely that the Craven Cottage club can finance a sufficient enough deal.

Sunderland are thought to have made an offer of around £10million, with West Ham United also considering a move for the forward.

But Wigan remain favourites to take Johnson, with the player believed to want to remain living in the north west area.

With Johnson one of 12 senior squad members unavailable, an inexperienced Everton side went down 1-0 to Sion in Martigny in their first friendly of the pre-season.

Teenagers John Irving, Jose Baxter, John Paul Kissock, Jack Rodwell and Lukas Jutkiewicz all started while Kieran Agard, Eunan O’Kane and Lee Molyneux came on as substitutes in the second half.