Everton manager David Moyes admits that his team will miss defender Lucas Neill, who is set to leave Goodison Park after a matter of months to join Galatasaray.

The 31-year-old Australia international has impressed during his short stint with the Toffees, but Moyes felt that it was only right to allow Neill to talk to the Turkish giants with a longer-term contract on offer.

He commented:"It could leave us a gap, certainly in the short term.

"Joseph Yobo could be back in a couple of weeks time and Phil Jagielka's not too far away on the horizon, but maybe in the short term it may leave me short.

"But over the piece, I think if I get over the next couple of weeks, then I think I would be okay.

"It was an opportunity for the lad that came about - I think he was very surprised about it and we were surprised also.

"We only heard about in on Sunday, so from that point of view it moved on very quickly.

"But I think with the chance for the lad to get a contract for a couple of years, we had to give him the opportunity to see if he wanted it or not.

"He's done great for us and I'll be sad if he leaves, but he'll go with my best wishes. He got in the team here, played and showed his worth.

"He'd been out of business for a while in the summertime and into the start of the new season. But I think for both parties it all worked well."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email