Everton boss David Moyes says striker Louis Saha could be in line for a new deal if he continues to show the form that has seen him score three goals in his last three games.
The French international, who was plagued by injury problems during his spell at
Manchester United, has penned an initial 18-month deal at Everton and Moyes admitted signing
Saha in the summer was a 'calculated gamble'.
"One of my policies is not to bring in players too late in their career, but with Louis I felt we had to. He was still just the right side of 30 and I thought for a couple of years we'd get the benefit if he keeps fit," said Moyes.
"He'd have been a £15 million striker if fit, so we'd never be able to get him here. It was a gamble because he was injured when we signed him, but I wasn't taking a chance on his ability.
"We've got a good medical team and, maybe, he feels under less pressure than before and has something to prove. We know he's fit and has dynamite in his feet when he shoots. If we get him into positions he will keep scoring."
Surgery
If Saha's state of fitness is looking much healthier, then the same can't be said of midfielder Tim Cahill, with Moyes admitting the 28-year-old may eventually have to undergo surgery.
Cahill has been troubled with a heal complaint in recent weeks and he limped out of yesterday's 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough at Goodison Park. However, Cahill has still travelled to Bahrain for Australia's World Cup qualifier on Wednesday but Moyes says the injury remains a concern.
"I thought that Tim played very well yesterday, especially in the first half. We used him and Fellaini in the middle and we asked them to take turns - one of them going forward and one staying back. I thought it worked well," added Moyes.
"But Tim has a foot injury, which is still a problem for him at the moment and you could see he was limping towards the end. He had injections before the game and he was desperate to play, that's what we like about him.
"But he has got a sore heal. I'm not sure that rest alone will be the cure. It's not directly related to his foot problems in the past, but maybe it's been a result of the way he has had to be rehabilitated and change things around a bit."
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