JACK RODWELL will today end speculation over his future by signing a new five-year deal at Everton.

The 19-year-old will disappoint a number of potential suitors by putting pen to paper on a contract that extends his Goodison commitment to 2015.

Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea were all strongly linked with a possible summer move for the England under-21 international, who has become one of the brightest young stars in English football since breaking into the Everton first team under David Moyes.

But Rodwell has decided that his footballing education would be best served by remaining at Everton, for whom he became the youngest player to appear in Europe when making his debut at the age of 16 years and 284 days in December 2007.

Rodwell made 36 appearances last season, employed primarily as a defensive midfielder, but also used in a more attacking role which he exploited to devastating effect when scoring in the 3-1 win against Manchester United.

Rodwell is the latest Everton player to commit his long-term future to the club with Moyes keen on safeguarding the core of his squad.

Tim Cahill and Seamus Coleman have already agreed new deals, and while Steven Pienaar has delayed talks until after the World Cup, both Leighton Baines and Mikel Arteta are in contract negotiations.

Meanwhile Everton youngster Shane Duffy is “very lucky” to be alive after suffering a laceration to his liver during a freak accident while on international duty.

Duffy is now recovering after undergoing life-saving surgery following a collision with goalkeeper Adrian Walsh during a friendly match between the Republic of Ireland development squad and the Irish Amateur side on Friday evening.

The 18-year-old centre-back received treatment on the pitch before being taken to Mater Hospital in Dublin, where he had an operation to address a damaged artery which was causing internal bleeding.