Everton's Beckford makes an impactDavid Moyes is becoming increasingly worried that this pre-season is about to turn into a bigger nightmare than last season's which was dominated by Joleon Lescott's protracted transfer to Manchester City.

The Lescott saga led to an appalling start for the Toffees, one from which they never fully recovered despite only 2 defeats in the league from November onwards.

This pre-season has been different. A trip to Australia, rather than the USA which had been the norm. Four wins out of four so far and new players such as Jermaine Beckford making an early impact.

Underlying all of this are the doubts surrounding three key players, Mikel Arteta, Steven Pienaar and Phil Jagielka. All have reason to be thankful to David Moyes for improving their careers and rescuing them from difficult situations.

In the case of Arteta and Jagielka, the club have stood by them following serious injuries and they both made significant contributions to the side towards the end of last season.

In Pienaar's case, the former Ajax man's career had stalled at Borussia Dortmund and after a slow start finally began to blossom when moved to the flanks at Everton.

Arsenal have made two bids of around £10million for Jagielka and another is likely given Sol Campbell's iminent departure for Newcastle.

If Fabregas is finally allowed to leave for Barcelona, Wenger is widely expected to test Everton's resolve with a £15million bid for Arteta. Pienaar is attracting interest fronm both Aston Villa and Tottenham.

It will be a real test over the coming weeks to see if these three in particular can be convinced that a future is to be had with the Toffees and also for Everton to show their determination to keep what now looks a very strong squad in place especially with the introduction of the new 25 man rule.

by Kevin Armstrong