ULTIMATELY results in pre-season friendlies count for nothing – I’ve played in teams who have won them all and then lost their first two league matches – but Everton will nevertheless be pleased to have completed their tour of Australia with a hat-trick of victories.

It’s off the field where Everton’s concerns continue with several of their big names being linked with moves elsewhere.

Steven Pienaar has yet to commit his long-term future to the club while Evertonians have also been concerned over fans’ favourite Mikel Arteta.

Bill Kenwright has already knocked back an offer from Arsenal for Phil Jagielka – albeit a much lower one than they sold his England colleague Joleon Lescott for last summer – but David Moyes will be pleading with his chairman to keep the phone off the hook until September unless he’s discussing incoming players.

It’s testimony to what Moyes has done at the club that he can now sell his top players on for massive profits but obviously it will always be something he’s loathed to do when he’s looking to build a great side of his own at Goodison.

One hot prospect who has agreed to stay on his Jack Rodwell and it’s been noted how he operated in a more advanced role in Australia – scoring in the last two games.

Jack’s a talented enough lad to play anywhere but many observers had seen his long term future in the heart of defence.

But as he continues to mature on the ball and the way he passes it, playing him at the back would be a waste and he certainly has the potential to become a really influential midfielder for Everton.