Everton manager David Moyes has given the club a major boost ahead of tomorrow's key match against Newcastle by insisting that he will be at Goodison Park regardless of doubts about his long-term future.
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Moyes has a year remaining on his current contract and has yet to be offered an extension by his chairman Bill Kenwright, who the Scot claims has not responded to the suggestions he made about summer transfer targets three months ago.
There has been speculation that Moyes, who has been at Goodison Park for more than six years, could walk away in the summer, such are the scale of his doubts about whether he will receive enough backing in the transfer market to mount a serious challenge to the top four.
But, with Everton requiring a point tomorrow to guarantee fifth place in the Premier League and a place in next season's Uefa Cup, no matter what Aston Villa do at West Ham, Moyes is adamant that he has no thoughts about leaving, even though he still has no idea how much money he will have to spend this summer.
"I am under contract here for another year, so I am preparing for next season," said Moyes, who will leave the appointment of an assistant manager until his future is assured. "I'm just waiting on clarification. As far as I am concerned, I will be here unless I am told different.
"I want to find what [money] is available, I just haven't been given any indication yet. Until I know what is required, I can't make those plans but, as I said, I will be here at the start of next season.
"I would hope my situation would get sorted out soon too. At the moment, I have not been offered a contract. I can only wait until that time comes and see where we are. It's important I find out what the club wants to do but there isn't the possibility that this will be my final game at Goodison.
"I had a discussion [about a contract with Kenwright] about two months ago. That was the last time we spoke about it. We speak regularly. The game is the thing that is important."
Defender Joleon Lescott has been ruled out of England's friendlies against the USA on May 28 and Trinidad and Tobago on June 1 as he requires injections in the knee that was operated on when he missed the entire 2003-04 season.
"His knee is going to be sorted again in the summer," Moyes said.
