LOUIS SAHA is hoping he finally gets the chance to forge a potentially lethal strike partnership with Yakubu next season after their promising pairing was split up by injury.
The Everton duo started only six matches together before Yakubu's season-ending Achilles injury ended any prospect of the pair forming a potent strikeforce together.
But with the Nigerian back in pre-season training and vowing to be fit in time for the big kick-off Saha is eagerly awaiting the start of the 2009/10 campaign.
The French striker, sporting orange hair this week at Everton's Scottish training camp near Edinburgh, said: I think his (Yakubu's) strength and coolness in front of goal is perfect as a partner for any striker. I can't wait to have the Yak back.
But Saha was also keen to see Brazilian striker Jo's loan extension confirmed.
Jo will be a very good signing if it happens. He looked good last season, he added.
Everton assistant manager, Steve Round, is also hoping an agreement can be reached with Manchester City.
I am very much hoping a deal can be put in place. I think we saw last season what he is capable of, he said.
Last season, the manager (David Moyes) was very keen on Jo and perhaps tried to sign him but was pipped at the post by Manchester City.
Last seasons five-goal loan spell at Goodison saw Jo rejuvenated after a frustrating time at Eastlands.
Round added: He came in as a young player to Manchester and struggled at first.
The Premier League is different to anything else anywhere in the world. But he found his feet with us, came through and got us some goals.
Hes certainly a player we would like to have in our squad and firing.
Its up to the club to try to finalise a deal. Hopefully that will come off and well have a very, very good player in our squad.
Everton have been linked with Standard Liege midfielder Steven Defour, former club colleague of the Toffees record signing Marouane Fellaini, but a suggested fee of s13million is deemed unrealistic.
Moyes is also interested in Sheffield Uniteds young defender Kyle Naughton, but again the s6m asking price is beyond the Premier League clubs valuation.
