Everton back shamed star

Smith supports tearful Xavier

Everton boss Walter Smith is backing Abel Xavier to bounce back from his Euro 2000 shame.

Xavier has been hit with a nine-month ban from Uefa competitions after confronting officials in Portugal's controversial semi-final defeat against France.

He was furious he had a penalty awarded against him which led to Zinedine Zidane's golden goal winner.

Smith spoke out in defence of Xavier as he was poised to spend £2.5m on Aston Villla's Steve Watson to compete for his place at Goodison Park.

Huge disappointment

The Everton manager believes the ban will not dent Xavier's confidence because of the quality of his play during the tournament.

Smith said: "Having to miss a season of international football, especially when he has just consolidated his position in the Portuguese national side, will make it difficult for him.

"But I'm sure anybody who saw him play would agree that he had a very good tournament and played very well.

Xavier's confidence will not be damaged. He had a very good tournament

Everton manager Walter Smith

"So I don't think his confidence will be damaged and it was just an unfortunate circumstance.

"For a high profile game to finish up in the manner it did was a huge disappointment to everyone there."

Smith may not be so pleased by Xavier's revelation that part of his disappointment comes from fears that the European ban may wreck his hopes of leaving Everton.

He claimed a number of European clubs had expressed an interest in signing him, with Roma were one of those linked.

Everton boss Walter Smith

Steve Watson, meanwhile, is on the brink of completing his £2.5m transfer to Everton from Aston Villa.

The defender was having a medical at Goodison Park and Smith hopes to wrap everything up quickly.

"We will hopefully tie up the loose ends with regard to the contract and he will also have a medical and at the completion of that, he will hopefully sign for Everton," said Smith.

Everton's youngsters, including Michael Ball, Francis Jeffers and Richard Dunne, reported back for pre-season today a week earlier than the rest of the squad.

Smith hopes the extra training will help them make a flying start to the new campaign.