“That one we couldn’t do. The other one was Matthew Upson, if you wanted a natural left footer. There is a bit of a similarity in age with Distin, but the price for Matthew Upson was far greater than what it was for Sylvain Distin.

“I think he has been a decent player throughout. This time I felt we needed a replacement immediately. If there had been a young (central defender) available, I would maybe have thought about it.

“But I felt we needed someone to keep us where we are just now. We have brought in a lot of young players to try and build the team up and try and have some resale value on the pitch if we got in a (financial) situation.

“I wouldn’t say we are in a situation but we bought Joleon for just under £5m and we have made profit, which we are hopefully going to put back in and strengthen the club.”

Tim Cahill is expected to be fit for tomorrow’s match after being rested to the bench for Thursday’s Europa League qualifier in the Czech Republic.

Cahill has been hampered by a foot problem and has already withdrawn from Australian’s friendly against South Korea next week in Seoul.

“He’s got plantar fasciitis,” said Moyes. “I think it feels like he’s walking on a pebble or something like that.

“I expect him to be fit for Sunday. I could have used him last night but I took the opportunity to give him a rest. I had him there in case I needed him as back up.”

Everton’s 1-1 draw at Sigma Olomouc secured a 5-1 aggregate success and qualification to the group stages of the Europa League.

And yesterday’s draw has handed Moyes’s men some lengthy trips, having been grouped with Portuguese side Benfica, AEK Athens of Greece and Belarus outfit BATE Borisov.

Benfica, the first seeds, boast a squad containing the likes of Pablo Aimar, Nuno Gomes and Javier Saviola, while AEK finished third in their domestic league last season.

BATE enjoyed exposure in the Champions League last season and earned creditable home and away draws with Juventus.

“I’m happy enough with the draw and I’m pleased to be in it,” said Moyes. “The travelling is maybe a little bit longer than I’d have hoped. Going to Athens is a longer journey than you’d probably like.

“But it’s a couple of nice places for the supporters to go and see and a couple of good games for us all so we’re looking forward to it.”

EUROPA LEAGUE DATES (all home games 8.05pm, all away games 6pm): Thu Sep 17: AEK Athens (H), Thu Oct 1: BATE Borisov (A), Thu Oct 22: Benfica (A), Thu Nov 5: Benfica (H), Wed Dec 2: AEK Athens (A), Thu Dec 17: BATE Borisov (H).