Nyarko goes AWOL again

Alex Nyarko (centre) insists he will not play for Everton

Everton's Alex Nyarko has gone missing again - wrecking the cash-strapped Merseysiders' hopes of a quick sale for the controversial Ghanaian.

He has so far failed to report for pre-season training - despite being granted extended leave by manager Walter Smith.

Nyarko was given five extra days of leave to help him find a new club, but the 27-year-old failed to reappear and will be hit with the maximum fine of two weeks' wages.

The Ghana international will be forced to part with around £30,000, but the cost to Everton could be even greater as they attempt to raise cash to allow boss Smith to move in the transfer market again.

Everton boss Smith said: "He was told to report for training on Monday and did not do so, and so the expectations for him turning up tomorrow are not great.

"He has been in contact with the club but we will continue to monitor the situation during the week."

Smith's desperate to sell

Nyarko also did a disappearing act after he was involved in a run-in with a fan at Arsenal last season.

The giant African vowed never to play for Everton again after he was confronted by a fan demanding his shirt during a disappointing 4-1 defeat at Highbury.

Everton are desperate to offload Nyarko, who has been a disaster since his £4.5m move from Lens last summer.

Nyarko would favour a move back to Lens, but they will not pay anywhere near the fee they received from Everton.

Everton need to rake in more money before they can move again in the transfer market, with all the money made available from the £10m sale of Francis Jeffers to Arsenal being spent on £4.5m Tomasz Radzinski from Anderlecht.