MLS strike could pave way for Landon Donovan to return to Everton

Landon Donovan could make a shock return to Everton.

The US international striker flew back to his home country last Sunday after completing a two-month loan deal at Goodison, to begin pre-season training with his club, L.A. Galaxy.

But an impending players' strike before the season gets underway in the MLS has now opened the door for the winger to come back to the English club.

The players are on the verge of walking out if their demands to enjoy the same conditions as those in other countries are not met.

And last night, Donovan confirmed there is now a real possibility he will extend his loan deal at Everton to ensure he maintains fitness before the United States fly to the World Cup finals in June.

"There's nothing concrete set up but all sides have been very clear about the possibility that I could go back to Everton if there is a strike," the LA Galaxy winger explained.

"Nobody wants to go on strike if it can be avoided, but if it happens then I can return to the Premier League. We've made it very clear from the beginning that we're not trying to bankrupt the league and ask for tons of monetary increases.

"But we need basic rights if we're going to continue playing. We want rights afforded other players in other countries that we don't have. We're very unified on the way we think."

In the States, players do not have freedom of contract like their fellow footballers in other countries. Instead, clubs retain players' rights even when their contracts expire, which is a situation that was outlawed in Europe almost a decade ago.

Talks have reached an impasse, and there is a now a very real danger that the American season will not now get underway on the planned date of March 25.

Donovan is the highest paid player in the MLS after agreeing a $2million dollar contract with the league - who pay wages - in December, and the club are ready to let him return to England in an attempt to get him ready for the World Cup.

David Moyes would welcome the American international back with open arms at Goodison, and last night talks were underway to thrash out plans for a return if the strike goes ahead next week as expected.

The players will meet club owners next Tuesday for a final round of negotiations, but the gulf between the two sides mean there is a real chance the strike will go ahead then.

Donovan meanwhile, has expressed the devastation felt by him and his fellow Galaxy players at the news their team-mate David Beckham will be out for at least six months after surgery on his damaged Achilles.

"For our team it's devastating but that's not the important part. I think we all feel bad for David. As much as we know it's going to hurt our team, it's still fresh in our minds and we feel bad for David," he said.

"We all know what he put in to give himself a chance of playing in the World Cup. He sacrificed more than anyone in the world to have a chance at playing in the World Cup. When you do that and something like this happens, it's awful."

Donovan got some real stick on his return to training with the California team, with team-mates teasing him about his lack of a tan after spending 10 weeks in England.

Galaxy midfielder Chris Klein joked: "We're tanned and ready to go, but Landon looks like he's been hiding in a closet for a few months."

And even coach Bruce Arena joined in, when he added: "He does looks pale - those are the hazards of living in England!"