UNSWORTH CLOSE TO SIGNING NEW DEAL

The Toffees opened negotiations with the defender at the end of the season, and the player has now confirmed that Friday`s latest meeting was fruitful and should see him commit before the start of the next campaign.

The 27-year-old, who has 12 months remaining on his contract, said: "Money was never an issue. I just wanted certain assurances about my role in the squad.

"I was pleased with what the manager had to say and it's up to my agent and Everton to sort out the rest.

"Everyone knows I want to play for Everton and hopefully a new deal can be put in place very quickly."

Unsworth was a virtual ever-present for the Merseyside club, making 32 appearances - scoring five goals.

Everton recently completed the capture of Alan Stubbs from Celtic, and it would seem that manager Walter Smith is steadily arranging his defensive troops.