ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE:DAVID MOYES will give his on-loan striker Jo the chance to salvage his Everton career next week when he ends the Brazilian's internal suspension for going missing over the festive period.

The 22-year-old incensed the Everton manager when he returned to Brazil without permission at Christmas, inviting a fine, an order to stay away from training and doubt over whether Moyes will retain the Manchester City forward’s services until the end of this season.

With Everton low on funds and personnel, and City paying Jo’s wages as part of the deal that took Joleon Lescott to Eastlands, an early exit from Goodison for the Brazilian is unlikely. But Moyes intends to assess the striker’s commitment on his return to training.

“Jo will be back at the club next week following his suspension,” Moyes said. “He has been fined heavily and he knows the situation. We will look at it more next week. I don’t think it is a big discussion point. We should now move on.”

Moyes gave no consideration to reducing Jo’s suspension in time for today’s trip to Arsenal despite losing Yakubu Ayegbeni to the Africa Cup of Nations and, in all likelihood, Louis Saha to a hamstring strain. And the Everton manager believes the club’s appalling injury problems are finally nearing an end.

He said: “Louis joined in training for the first time yesterday. Leon Osman joined in also. Mikel Arteta joined in but was in non-contact training, Victor Anichebe has done a little bit and is improving. Dan Gosling, Jack Rodwell and Sylvain Distin are all close, Sylvain probably the closest.”

Everton’s new loan signing Landon Donovan could be given his debut at Arsenal.

- Guardian Service