David Moyes, the Everton manager, is expected to step up his plans for next season after meeting Bill Kenwright, the club's chairman, yesterday in London and with further talks due this weekend. Moyes did little to quell speculation about his future last week by saying that he was in the dark over the club's summer transfer budget, but the manager is expected to sign a lucrative new long-term contract once he knows how much he will have to spend on reinforcements.

Steve Sidwell, of Chelsea, and Michael Bradley, the Heerenveen and United States midfield player, are under consideration, although Moyes is also thought to be searching for a world-class player who could help to bridge the gap to the top four.

Moyes has been without an assistant since Alan Irvine left Goodison Park to become manager of Preston North End in November last year, but he is expected to announce a replacement once a new contract is in place.

At Liverpool, Rafael Benítez has found a new assistant after confirming yesterday the appointment of Sammy Lee, the former Liverpool player and Bolton Wanderers manager, who will take up the role with immediate effect after Alex Miller's departure to work in Japan. “He will add something different to what we already have,” Benítez, the manager, said.

Marcus Bent, the striker, is about to join Wigan Athletic in a permanent £1million deal after a successful spell on loan from Charlton Athletic this season. Carlo Nash, the goalkeeper, and David Cotterill, the winger, are expected to leave Wigan, although Mike Pollitt, the goalkeeper, is close to signing a one-year extension to stay at the club.