By Chris Kirwan
March 4 2003

The transfer window has opened, and while there is very little money being thrown around every manager seems to be doing plenty of wheeling and dealing.

The first arrivals at Goodison have come in the shape of Brian McBride, to ensure that the American quota is fulfilled now that Joe-Max has left, and Egyptian international Ibrahim Said. Both players arrive on loan, McBride for three months and Said for the remainder of the season. Their entrance couldn’t have come at a better time for David Moyes; with Rooney suspended and other forwards unfit McBride will provide much-needed cover up front, while the defence has also been hit hard by injury and suspension with Weir, Hibbert, Stubbs and Pistone all missing.

Monaco defender Franck Jurietti has claimed that he is set to have a three-day trial at Everton with a view to a loan move. BBC online states that Jurietti, 27, is under contract with Monaco until 2005 but that they would not stand in the way of a loan deal which would last until the end of the season. The injury crisis has certainly opened the door for new arrivals, but surely Moyes isn’t after another defender? If he does arrive it will re-enforce the view that Li Weifeng isn’t up to scratch, and strengthen the rumours that he is unlikely to return from international duty.

Moyes has been handed a great fillip by the news that Rodrigo and Big Dunc could be back as soon as late January. The Brazilian said,

"The progress that I've made since November has surprised even the doctors.”

"I'm running, working with weights and swimming. The doctors expect that I'll be able to be back playing at Everton in the next month. I'll be back soon at Everton, stronger and in good shape and I know that I will be able to help our team maintain our high position in the league."

I know it’s a cliché, but Rodrigo’s recovery would be like a new signing for the Blues. His arrival created great excitement at Goodison, and may provide a welcome creative spark in the first team.

But news of a Ferguson recovery is always taken with a pinch of salt, however nobody can doubt his influence on the side. Under Moyes at the tail end of last season he was nothing short of inspirational (Bolton excepted), and would provide a new impetus to the bid for Europe. Moyes said,

"He has been training well in the last three or four days and is probably due to join in with the first-team training within the next few days. He has been out a long time now and he is going to be in need of games as he gets down to regaining his fitness.”

"For Duncan that is the most important thing, hopefully he will be back shortly."

Let hope it’s not another of Ferguson’s frequent false dawns.