Everton manager David Moyes has been left with one of those problems “it is nice to have” after left-back Leighton Baines stunning free-kick helped an improving Everton side to a point at Tottenham last weekend.

And the wily Scots manager is looking to further improve his squad by taking back Landon Donovan on loan, after the success of the United States World Cup star’s temporary spell at Goodison Park last season.

Regular free-kick specialist Mikel Arteta missed the trip to White Hart Lane through injury and Baines took full advantage, curling a superb 20-yard dead-ball into the top right-hand corner of the net.

 

The Toffees overcame their city arch-rivals 2-0 and they followed that up with a good point at Spurs.

Speaking about Baines’ dead-ball efforts in his absence, Arteta said: “Bainesy is a very good free-kick taker and if he has to take one again at the weekend it will be no problem.”

Everton host Stoke City in the EPL this Saturday, having moved above the Potters on goal difference into 11^th in the table, two weeks after the drop zone threatened, although still only one point above third-bottom…Liverpool.

Donovan was recently quoted as saying that “it would be hard to say no” to an offer to return to Goodison Park where he scored twice and became a crowd favourite in a ten-match spell between January and March this year.

Moyes’ response to this apparent interest was: “If he’d like to come back then we’d be delighted to have him.”