Moyes holding onto Vaughan

England's Under 21 ace must prove himself

By Hayley Paterson   Last updated: 5th January 2008

James Vaughan

Vaughan: Point to prove

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Everton boss David Moyes has said talented striker James Vaughan is not going anywhere in the January transfer market after returning from injury.

The 19-year-old made an instant comeback, after recovering from a dislocated shoulder, scoring in the Toffees' 3-2 win over AZ Alkmaar just before Christmas.

But even though Vaughan is lacking in match experience, Moyes told Everton's website: "There is not even a chance of him leaving on loan, not in the slightest.

"We rate him so highly, nobody has bothered asking and, even if they did, they would get the same kind of answer."

Tough competition

The England Under 21 international faces tough competition for first-team action after impressive performances from Victor Anichebe, James McFadden, Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Andy Johnson.

"Vaughany had a really good finish to last season and we have got big hopes for him. He is coming back in and he is looking much sharper. He looks like he is ready," the Everton boss said.

"He has probably had to stand back a bit and he will have seen what Yak (Yakubu) and AJ (Johnson) are doing and realise the consistency that is required and the goalscoring that is required too. Hopefully he will be learning from them.

"Now what the boys need to look at is that Everton are picking up and they are going to have to pick up too.

"That's what James Vaughan will realise with the standards the centre-forwards are setting now."