David Moyes insists Everton won’t see the best of Yakubu until the New Year.

The Nigerian has just returned from a lengthy injury lay-off, and although he has yet to start a Premier League games this term, he has featured from the bench as he regains his match fitness.

"If you look at people who have ruptured their Achilles, it can take the same time again - even though you are 'fit' - to get back into the way of playing,” said Moyes.

"It was a really bad injury and could have been career-threatening. We'd like to get Yak up to the level but we don't think he is quite there yet. It's likely to take time rather than anything else.

"Because he has missed a year's football, we want get him sharp and right. We don't know if that will take a week or if it will take three or four months yet."

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