Everton Want Bates!

Boro have opened talks with Matthew Bates about a new contract, but Everton are heading a growing queue of Premier League clubs monitoring the situation.

The contract Bates signed in January 2005 is due to expire this summer and his performances since have David Moyes, Sam Allardyce and Gary Megson among those to have shown interest.

While both Blackburn and Bolton are hopeful of landing their man, Everton's push for a UEFA Cup place once again this season is another indication of the progress being made under Moyes.

Moyes has been given the lowdown on the 22-year-old by Steve Round, his assistant at Goodison Park.