Everton striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu has apologised to his Toffees team-mates for his late return from the Africa Cup of Nations.Yakubu was left out of the squad to face Reading on Saturday after infuriating boss David Moyes by going AWOL following Nigeria's defeat to Ghana.

The former Middlesbrough ace is expected to be restored to the squad for this week's UEFA Cup clash with SK Brann, with Everton keeper Tim Howard revealing Yakubu had spoken to all the players about his late return.

"We love The Yak," Howard told the Liverpool Echo. "He's been a hugely positive influence on us, not just with the amount of goals he has scored for the team but in the dressing room as well.

"Yes, these things happen but it has been dealt with and the manager has taken care of that. Now we all get on with it.

"Yak has spoken to us and the sooner we get past it, the better."

More Football News from TEAMtalk