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.
