Beattie blow for Everton

Everton manager David Moyes’ problems continue to grow as he saw his £6m (€8.7m) striker James Beattie limp out of a reserve team match last night.

The 27-year-old, who has made just 18 appearances since his move from Southampton in January, hobbled off with a calf injury just 22 minutes into the 3-1 defeat against Manchester United.

Beattie, who has only just recovered from a toe injury, had given the watching Moyes a boost by opening the scoring with a 30-yard deflected free-kick after just three minutes.

Defender Per Kroldrup, a £5m (€7.3m) summer signing from Italian club Udinese, made his first competitive appearance since arriving from Udinese in the summer.

The centre-back played in four pre-season friendlies before it was decided he needed to have surgery on a groin injury.

Everton are currently bottom of the Premier League after six defeats in seven matches having scored just once.

They have already been knocked out of the Champions League and the UEFA Cup.