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EVERTON have been forced to admit defeat in their attempts to extend Landon Donovan’s stay at the club.
Donovan will return to the LA Galaxy next week after Everton failed to convince the MLS side to prolong his 10-week loan spell for another month.
The United States international will now make his last appearance for David Moyes’s side in Saturday’s Premier League visit to Birmingham.
Donovan had made clear his desire to remain at Everton until April 15, with David Moyes admitting over the weekend that he would like to keep the 28-year-old. But Galaxy coach Bruce Arena was adamant the forward would return to Los Angeles on schedule, and with Everton not wanting to compromise their good relationship with the MLS side, they have reluctantly agreed to no longer pursue the matter.
Donovan has been impressive during his stay at Everton, scoring two goals in 12 appearances including a strike on his farewell Goodison appearance in last Sunday’s 5-1 thrashing of Hull City. That victory has rekindled hopes of European qualification, with Sylvain Distin convinced the feelgood factor has once again returned to the squad.
