Everton boss David Moyes is hoping striker Duncan Ferguson will see out the rest of the season.
Moyes recently admitted the 34-year-old striker is considering whether to hang up his boots early in the new year.
Ferguson is contracted to stay at Goodison Park until the end of the season, but has been struggling with fitness problems this term.
However, two successive defeats have rekindled relegation fears at Everton, and Moyes is keen to keep the big Scot on board.
”Duncan is still here and wants to have a think about things over the next few weeks,” Moyes told the club’s official website.
”He has had a better week’s training this week and he might feel a little bit better.
”Duncan is an old enough professional to know his body and we will see how he is after the next week or so.”
Everton, who face Aston Villa on Monday, are lying fifth from bottom, four points above the drop zone. — Sapa-AFP