Toffees suspend AWOL striker Jo

Toffees suspend AWOL striker Jo

Published Jan. 1, 2010 6:40 a.m. ET

Everton have suspended on-loan Manchester City striker Jo for a breach of club discipline after he returned to Brazil without permission.

Jo, who has been suffering from a knee injury, is understood to have returned to his native Brazil for Christmas without permission from Toffees boss David Moyes.

Everton have now decided to act and they have suspended the striker from the club, meaning he will not be available for the FA Cup tie with Carlisle.

"We like Jo and he has been a really good lad. We have enjoyed having him, but there has to be discipline at all football clubs," said Moyes. "He left over a busy period for us and left us short of players. I found it very difficult so he's suspended from the club."

Asked if it was a short-term punishment for the player, Moyes said: "At the moment, yes. It might change in the coming weeks but at the moment, that is the situation."

The news casts a doubt over Jo's long-term future at Goodison Park with the player due to stay on Merseyside until the end of the current campaign.

Jo initially joined Everton on loan during last winter's transfer window and he returned in a similar deal in the summer. The 22-year-old has found it difficult to hold down a place in Moyes' side this season and has scored only two goals this term.

ADVERTISEMENT
share