Dropping Joleon Lescott does not mean I will sell him to Manchester City, says Everton boss David Moyes
Published 17:19 19/08/09 By By David Maddock
Joleon Lescott may have played his last game for Everton after being dramatically kicked out of their squad to face SK Sigma Olomouc in the UEFA Cup.
The Blues defender has been banished to train with the reserves after manager David Moyes explained that he was angered by his attitude this week.
Lescott has submitted a written transfer request following two bids for his services by Manchester City, but Moyes turned that down flat.
The England international was selected to play against Arsenal last week, but after a humiliating 6-1, he was kicked out of the squad, after three days in training when Moyes insisted the player's attitude simply wasn't right.
"I will not include Joleon in the squad for the UEFA Cup game. His attitude has been disappointing in the last few days, and I have decided I can't include him," Moyes said.
"It is very disappointing. We like him a lot, he's a terrific player and I think he's a really good lad, so to see his attitude this week is very difficult for me, and - I believe - for the rest of his team-mates.
"I don't think what has been said about communication between him and City is right, but if it is then we are right to take him out of the squad.
"Our reputation nearly went crash, bang wallop at the weekend, and we have got to change things, we have got to look at the reasons for our terrible performance."
While Lescott will not be allowed back into the first team squad until his attitude changes, Moyes insisted it doesn't necessarily mean he will sell the defender to Manchester City.
The Everton boss has still to receive an offer anywhere near his valuation of the England man, and he insisted that he is determined to keep Lescott unless he gets the figure he wants.
"As far as I'm concerned I hope we can get to August 31 when the transfer window closes, and then he'll get his head around the situation and get his attitude right," Moyes said.
"It doesn't mean we are closer to selling him, but he won't be back in the squad until his attitude is right."
Moyes must choose whether skipper Phil Neville or youngster Jack Rodwell will deputise against the Czech side at Goodison on Thursday evening.
