EVERTON have moved back into pole position in the race to sign Sheffield United full-back Kyle Naughton.

Goodison officials were locked in talks with representatives from the Coca-Cola Championship side yesterday over the prospective transfer of the 20-year-old.

Everton had planned to rubberstamp the signing of Naughton earlier this week after already agreeing personal terms with the player and a fee of £4million rising to £5m with Sheffield United.

But the Blades stalled on completing the deal after Tottenham Hotspur lodged a bid for Naughton as part of a double swoop that would also see Kyle Walker move to White Hart Lane.

Everton were furious at the U-turn, but hastily-arranged negotiations with the Bramall Lane outfit have since eased some of the tension.

Now David Moyes is hoping to speak to Naughton today with the Everton manager increasingly confident he can add the highly-rated right-back to his squad before the team embark on their tour of North America next week.

And reports last night suggested Everton were also preparing to match Tottenham by also making a bid for Walker.

Former Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg and Confederations Cup star Landon Donovan will be among the players facing Everton in the MLS All-Star game later this month.

The first 11 names to feature for the representative team in the showpiece friendly in Salt Lake on July 30 have been announced, with Ljungberg joined by Seattle Sounders team-mate Kasey Keller, the former Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City goalkeeper.