I've always liked the guy, but would we turn down #6m bid if made?

Everton are weighing up a shock move for Newcastle's Goodison old boy Gary Speed as boss Walter Smith faces the prospect of losing his entire midfield before the new season. But Smith's interest will cut no ice at St James's Park, where the Welsh international skipper is regarded as a hugely influential figure.

Speed has regularly endured a hostile reception on his return to his former club following a #5.5m move from Everton two-and-a-half years ago.

That hasn't put off Smith, who is desperate for reinforcements to replace outgoing trio Don Hutchison, Nick Barmby and John Collins.

Everton are already in the hunt for Lens' Alex Nyarko, Sheffield Wednesday winger Niclas Alexandersson and Hamburg's Danish international defender or midfielder Thomas Gravesen and there are indications that they would love to land Speed as well.

But their planned #6m move looks a certain non-starter, with United chairman Freddy Shepherd insisting that the 30-year-old schemer is going nowhere.

Speed reported for the first day of pre-season training yesterday along with his Newcastle teammates, including want-away Croatian Silvio Maric.

Meanwhile, former Newcastle goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek has signed for Italian side Brescia on a free transfer from Sheffield Wednesday. The Czech international exercised a clause in his contract last month which allowed him to leave Hillsborough for nothing after he failed to make an agreed number of appearances for the Owls.

Srnicek, a member of the Czech Republic's squad at Euro 2000, has put pen to paper on a three-year deal with the northern Italian club, who were promoted to Serie A at the end of last season.

The 32-year-old had been expected to join Napoli, but the deal fell through.

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2000

Answers

Well Adrian Heath has left Goodison so that "Speed Trap" has gone. As a schoolboy toffee he might want to go back.

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2000

We could change Maric's name by deed poll to Gary Speed and sell him instead.

Seriously, though, if they're that short of players then they should be interested in the likes of Ketsbaia, and possibly Maric. No way they can have Speed - it would leave us in the same position as them. A bit of money to burn, but no players available so having to pay over the odds to deperately attract someone half decent.

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2000

Take the money, 30yr olds depreciate quickly, Speed is a great header of the ball & does get forward but with Carl Cort, big Dunc & Shearer we have enough air power. I'd sell & buy Lee Clark back.

-- Anonymous, July 13, 2000