Everton have been boosted by the news that influential defender Joseph Yobo will not be going to the Olympics with Nigeria.Yobo was expected to be named as one of Nigeria's three over-aged players - with the Olympics being for Under-23s only.

But Yobo's name was accidentally missed off Nigeria's squad list which means he will now start the season on Merseyside rather than China.

"Our secretary forgot to include Yobo's name in our preliminary squad so he won't be going [to Beijing], which is Everton's gain," said Samson Siasia, the coach of Nigeria's Olympic team.

One player who will be missing for Everton is Nigeria's Victor Anichebe and he is likely to miss the first four games of the season.

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