Body blow for 'ultimate professional' Neville

Everton boss David Moyes claims Phil Neville’s omission from the England squad has been a “kick in the nuts” for the midfielder.

Moyes has hailed Neville’s contribution to his squad since his summer move from Manchester United – and clearly expected Sven-Goran Eriksson to call up the versatile player for tomorrow’s Anfield friendly with Uruguay.

“I was surprised not to see him in the squad,” he admitted.

“The England manager shows a lot of loyalty to his players, and I expected to see him there.”

In a Liverpool Echo interview, Moyes added: “The best way for Phil to answer it is for the England manager to come along and watch him in his next three games. People who know Phil and people who have worked with him at Manchester United know he is the ultimate professional.”

The Goodison Park chief believes Neville will still be able to demonstrate why he should be included in Eriksson’s World Cup squad.

“He is a keen trainer and he is very patriotic about his country,” said Moyes.

“All he can do is keep working hard and hope that Mr Eriksson comes to watch a few Everton matches soon. He only ever speaks well of the England set-up and the things that are going on there.”

Everton will get no extra cash, meanwhile, following their protégé Wayne Rooney’s first trophy as a Manchester United player in Sunday’s 4-0 Carling Cup Final victory over Wigan.

The deal that took the striker from Goodison to Old Trafford in August 2004 contained a number of clauses which could lift the final value of the transfer to £27million.

Everton will receive additional payments for a variety of situations, Rooney playing 20 competitive England games while at United or signing a contract extension.

The Goodison outfit will also be handed extra bonuses should Rooney win the FA Cup, the Premiership or the European Cup during his Old Trafford stay – but Everton did not negotiate a payment in the event of United winning the Carling Cup.