• Premier League

Committed Moyes mulls over Long bid

Shane Long has attracted the interest of Everton © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Doctor urges Houllier to retire
  
• News: Arteta blow for Everton
  
• Profile: Tim Cahill

David Moyes is reportedly weighing up a summer bid for Reading striker Shane Long after reiterating his commitment to Everton.

The Toffees boss has played down rumours linking him to the Aston Villa job following the recent health scare to Gerard Houllier, insisting he is happy at Goodison Park and is already starting to think about potential summer transfer dealings.

"It's nothing to do with me is it? I'm a great club in a great job. I don't know what to say," said Moyes on the rumours.

Moyes' assistant Steve Round was at Elland Road to see Long in action against Leeds on Easter Friday and the club have been tracking the progress of the player who was instrumental in the Toffees' FA Cup defeat to Reading.

Moyes knows he needs to boost his current squad over the summer and admits he would have concerns about their current strikeforce next season, although he warned the summer transfer window may not be as busy as in previous seasons.

"I think there are areas I should address if I can," Moyes said. "But there is a difficult world out there where things are struggling. We may find there is not as much spending as in the past."

Meanwhile, Everton's bid to qualify for next season's Europa League could be boosted by the return Mikel Arteta at Wigan on Saturday. Arteta has missed the Toffees' last five games with a hamstring injury but returned to training this week, and manager David Moyes is hopeful the Spaniard could feature.

While Johnny Heitinga remains a doubt, Tim Cahill is expected to start. Cahill has been struggling with a foot injury and Moyes admits the Australia international is not fully fit.

"Hopefully we will have a lot of people available," Moyes said. "Mikel Arteta has trained this week so I am hoping he will be able to be included in the squad.

"Tim looks as if he probably got about 60 minutes in him for most of the games. Johnny Heitinga is the one we need to look at because he has a problem with his hamstring. But he has done a little bit of training so we will have a look at him and see how he is."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.