May 28 2006

Andy Johnson

Everton have matched Wigan and Bolton's bid for hotshot striker Andrew Johnson.

Everton had an earlier bid for the England man turned down by Simon Jordan, before Wigan and then Bolton tabled bids of £8.5 million.

The Merseyside club have now matched that bid in the hope of teaming Johnson up with James Beattie.

Johnson has already held talks with Wigan and Bolton and has held talks with Everton over the weekend.

Johnson was an unused subsitute in England B's 2-1 defeat to Belarus in the week.

Meanwhile, former Palace boss IAIN DOWIE is strongly linked with the manager's job at Charlton.