Source: SKY_Sports
Lescott axed by Everton
Joleon Lescott has been dropped from the Everton squad for Thursday's Europa League qualifying tie against Sigma Olomouc.
The 27-year-old centre-back recently handed in a transfer request at Goodison Park and reports earlier on Wednesday suggested he did not train with the first-team squad.
Lescott has been a target of big-spending Manchester City throughout the summer, but Everton have so far turned down two multi-million pound offers.
Toffees boss David Moyes has remained adamant that the defender is not for sale, but this latest development will increase speculation that he is heading for Eastlands before the end of the transfer window.
Moyes' side suffered a humiliating 6-1 home defeat to Arsenal on the first day of the season and the Scottish manager has previously suggested that City's pursuit of Lescott has disrupted the atmosphere within the Everton squad.
Although the 46-year-old admitted that he was "disappointed" by Lescott's attitude in recent days, Moyes is still hopeful that the former Wolves man will be staying at Everton.
"Joleon's attitude has not been right these past days, he has disappointed me and he has disappointed his team-mates. He is not in the right frame of mind," he said.
"I made a decision and due to Joleon's attitude, I felt it would be better if he wasn't included in the squad.
"He wasn't (right) before Saturday's game and he told me that. But I took the risk and chose to play him. But now the time is right to leave him alone until things are sorted, and hopefully that will be after the deadline."
The Everton manager also stated that he enjoys working with Lescott and wants to continue coaching him in the future.
However, Moyes did concede that he would consider letting the England international leave the club if a suitably large offer was put on the table.
He said: "I find Joleon a really good boy to work with, a pleasure in fact. I couldn't say enough good things about him.
"But the boy has changed. It is not just me who has noticed but the players who are working with him have noticed it as well.
"But the door is open for Joleon. We don't want him to go, I have said that all along, unless we get an offer that I think is right.
"But at the present time he is not in the squad and it is best that we get on without him."
