Moyes concerned by Li Tie's recall
(Footballasia.com)
Updated: 2004-11-08 15:49

Everton boss David Moyes has said that midfielder Li Tie is not yet fit to return to action despite his recall by China for their crucial World Cup 2006 qualifier against Hong Kong later this month.

Li suffered a broken shin while training with the national team in January and only returned to training with Everton earlier this month.

However, Moyes says that the 27-year-old is still two months away from returning to first team action.

“Li Tie isn’t ready to play a game,” said Moyes to Everton’s official website.

“It is such a big game for China that they are desperate to have him. We might let him go to help with their morale as he is such an influential player, but he is not ready to play.”

While the shin has healed, Li is still suffering from a bad limp, the effect of having his ankle in plaster for a long period of time.

"He looks as if he is still a good couple of months away from being fully fit. It is a cause for concern," added Moyes.