Toffees lose battle to keep Pienaar for Blues clash

EVERTON have lost their battle to have Steven Pienaar available for tonight’s Carling Cup semi-final first leg at Chelsea.

Toffees boss David Moyes yesterday invoked the 14-day rule and insisted the South African international would not have to travel to join up with his country’s African Cup of Nations squad until Wednesday.

Moyes’ view was that FIFA regulations did not make it clear whether players should be released 14 days ahead of the start of the competition, or 14 days ahead of a specific country’s first match.