The former Watford and Tottenham goalkeeper Espen Baardsen looks set to join high-flying Everton and could be playing for the club on St Stephen's Day. Everton boss David Moyes is optimistic that he can register the Norweigan in time for him to feature in the squad against Birmingham as cover for number one choice Richard Wright.
Everton have suffered a goalkeeper crisis as Steve Simonsen sustained a broken toe while Paul Gerrard dislocated a kneecap while on loan at Ipswich. The Merseyside club have been given a special dispensation by Premier League chiefs to recruit Baardsen, whose contract with Watford was ended last week as a cost-cutting measure by the club.
The rules state that in such a situation, the Premier League club can only bring a keeper in on loan from the First, Second and Third Divisions but Moyes is pleased with Baardsen's experience.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
