Vaughan will bounce back, insists Moyes

EVERTON manager David Moyes believes James Vaughan will push for a return as soon as possible despite a horrific injury in yesterday’s 1-1 draw at Bolton.

The 18-year-old, who scored the Toffees’ equaliser in the 33rd minute after Kevin Davies’ opener, severed an artery in his left leg just after the hour mark at the Reebok Stadium.

Moyes said: “James has avoided bone or ligament damage after receiving treatment.

“Obviously, we are delighted it’s not a break or anything like that, and knowing him, he will probably want to play next week because he is a tough lad.”

Vaughan sustained the injury in attempting to strike a left-foot half-volley on the edge of the area, only to accidentally connect with Bolton defender Abdoulaye Meite. Before then, Vaughan had been outstanding during a game that ebbed and flowed before ultimately ending with both sides claiming a share of the spoils.

Vaughan’s goal was his second goal in four days after scoring Everton’s third in a 4-1 Goodison Park victory over Fulham on Friday evening. His initial effort bounced off Nicky Hunt and Meite, with the rebound falling into his path, allowing him to drive the ball home from 15 yards.

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce was unhappy with the build-up to the goal, insisting stand-in captain Gary Speed had been elbowed by Lee Carsley. “The referee (Martin Atkinson) said he saw it, and Gary ran up to him and said ‘Why didn’t you give it?’ and he couldn’t answer him,” Allardyce said.

“That’s the most disappointing thing, when you have a referee who has said he saw the elbow and it’s a clear free-kick at the very least.

“So we are going to moan about it. We have to, because you have to get the decisions right at the right time. We didn’t get the right decision that time, and that has proved very costly for us, because after a great start we have lost the lead through no fault of our own.”

BOLTON: Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Meite, Faye, Gardner, Teymourian (Thompson 90), Campo, Speed, Davies, Anelka, Diouf (Giannakopoulos 87).

EVERTON: Howard, Hibbert, Yobo, Stubbs, Lescott, Arteta, Neville, Carsley, Osman, Johnson, Vaughan (Beattie 62).

Referee: M Atkinson (W Yorkshire).