Gary Cahill plays as move to Chelsea drags on

Coyle confirmed last Friday that a fee – believed to be in the region of £7 million – had been agreed with Chelsea for defender Cahill and talks have been ongoing with a view to completing the 26-year-old’s proposed move to Stamford Bridge.

However, Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas said later the same day that the parties were “miles apart regarding agreement with the player.”

Asked yesterday if Cahill was in his plans for the match at Goodison Park, Coyle said: “Absolutely.” He added: “The games have come thick and fast and I imagine that has restricted people in getting around a table and having dialogue with regard to Gary’s representatives and Chelsea – they played again yesterday. We agreed a fee between the clubs and it is now up to Chelsea and Gary’s representatives to conclude that, or not.

“I think there has only been one meeting on that. The other day, Gary prepared and then played at a very high level [in the 1-1 draw with Wolves] and will continue to do that. He is an outstanding young man. Whatever comes, we will deal with the situation when it arises.”

Coyle emphasised that it is nothing new to Cahill to be the subject of transfer speculation.

“Gary always has coped with endless speculation, certainly in every transfer window since I’ve been here, and he is so focused on his football,” he added. “He has that mental strength and that is why clubs of the stature of Chelsea admire him and want him as one of their players.”

Coyle – whose team are bottom of the table – could be without goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, who is a major injury doubt after picking up a thigh problem and will be replaced by Adam Bogdan if he fails to recover in time. Midfielder Darren Pratley missed the New Year’s Eve contest due to illness but is available again.