Football briefs: Everton | Aberdeen | Tottenham | Gabon

EVERTON’S Darron Gibson believes striker Nikica Jelavic’s predatory instincts make him similar to the likes of Michael Owen and Ruud van Nistelrooy.

The Croatia international may not have been able to replicate last season’s stunning impact of 11 goals in 16 matches after arriving from Rangers in January, with six in 17 games this campaign, but Gibson said: “He’s a bit like Michael Owen or Van Nistelrooy in the box. He’s first class and I don’t think there’s many better than him at the moment. He’s definitely up there with the best goalscorers I’ve played with. His finishing is unbelievable.”

Low signs up with Aberdeen until 2014

Midfielder Nicky Low has signed a new contract with Aberdeen. The 20-year-old, currently on loan at Alloa, will remain at Pittodrie until the summer of 2014. He told the club’s website: “I’m delighted to be staying and really looking forward to fighting for a place in the squad when my loan ends at the end of this month. I was on loan at Forfar last season and now Alloa but the message has always been that there is a place for me at Aberdeen.”

Low joins Cammy Smith, Jamie Masson, Jordon Brown, Joe Shaughnessy and Declan McManus in agreeing extended deals in recent weeks.

Moussono mistake costs Gabon dear

Gabon have been penalised by Fifa with a 3-0 defeat for fielding an ineligible player in their World Cup qualifier away to Niger in Niamey on 3 June which ended in a 0-0 draw.

The world governing body’s disciplinary committee overturned the result after ruling that Gabon defender Charly Moussono was not eligible to play because he had previously represented Cameroon – at beach football. Fifa’s own statistics showed Moussono had represented Cameroon in the 2006 Beach World Cup in Brazil.

Villas–Boas is glad Bale is on way back

Tottenham’s Gareth Bale is in line to face Stoke at the weekend after recovering from a hamstring injury. The 23-year-old has been sidelined since Spurs’ 3-0 win at Fulham on 1 December but is back in training.

Michael Dawson also picked up a hamstring injury at Craven Cottage and has recently rejoined training. “It’s good news,” Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas said in relation to Bale on the club’s website. “First for the player because he wants to be back in the group and he’s made a tremendous recovery. He’s worked extremely hard.”