DAVID MOYES has revealed Yakubu wanted to leave Everton in the summer – but has now backed the striker to prove his worth at Goodison once again.

Speculation persisted throughout the transfer window that Yakubu would be seeking pastures new with Moyes have signed Leeds United forward Jermaine Beckford and needing to raise funds for any other possible incomings.

West Ham United were the most interested party but, having seen a £6million bid rejected earlier in the summer, returned nearer the transfer deadline with a £5m offer that was dismissed out of hand by the Goodison board.

Moyes admits such talk unsettled Yakubu which, coupled with his recuperation from a disappointing World Cup with Nigeria, saw him out of the first-team picture at the start of the season.

However, the forward made a telling contribution on his first outing of the campaign last weekend, emerging from the bench to help Everton recover from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 with Manchester United.

With Tim Cahill struggling to be fit for today’s Premier League visit of Newcastle United and Louis Saha already out, Yakubu could make his first start since April.

But Moyes accepts it could have been different had West Ham made a suitable offer this summer.

“He would have liked the opportunity to have left,” said the Everton manager. “But we never received an offer that was enough for him and because of that he’s never really got himself in the right frame of mind but I see now that he has.

“Maybe it’s down to the window being shut and he’s back here and getting himself back in contention to play. I’ve never had any problems with Yak, I’ve always had a good relationship with him.