LEEDS UNITED are resigned to losing Jermaine Beckford this summer with Elland Road insiders convinced the striker is on his way to Everton.

Beckford became one of the country’s most sought-after talents after shooting to prominence with his goal that knocked out Manchester United at Old Trafford in the FA Cup third round back in January.

The 26-year-old has continued to spearhead Leeds’s challenge for promotion from Coca-Cola League One, with his brace against MK Dons last week moving him on to 30 goals for the season.

Beckford is out of contract at the end of the season and has shown no indication of signing a new deal at Elland Road.

And while Newcastle United are among a clutch of potential suitors, Leeds believe Beckford will agree a free transfer to Goodison in the summer.

Should Beckford join David Moyes’s squad, one of his first tasks will be to board a plane to Australia after Everton yesterday confirmed they will tour Down Under this summer.

The Goodison outfit’s non-World Cup participants will spend almost three weeks in the Southern Hemisphere preparing for the new campaign, a stay during which they will play games in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.

Although one of several Everton players expected to appear in South Africa, Tim Cahill is hopeful of joining up with the travelling party as they visit his home country.

And the midfielder believes the squad will be met with a huge level of support.

"I think it’s fantastic for Australian football and also Everton because Australia’s got a massive following of Everton supporters," said Cahill, who will aim to help Moyes’s side keep their hopes of Europa League qualification alive with victory at Stoke City this afternoon.

"I get together and have a lot of signing sessions with the Everton supporters over there and they come from all corners of Australia.

"They’re a proud following and I think for a Premier League team like Everton to grace the shores of Australia is absolutely massive."