Everton boss David Moyes has came in for criticism from South Africa team manager Sipho Nkumane for pulling Steven Pienaar out of the squad at such late notice. Moyes explained, "Steven didn't start our game against Middlesbrough on Sunday because he wasn't fit enough to do so.

"We brought him on in the second half but it was clear that he wasn't comfortable and after the game it was a straightforward decision not to send him to join up with South Africa.

"We notified the South African FA immediately and we will monitor him this week.

"We couldn't have notified them any quicker and, if the coach had been at our match on Sunday, he'd have seen for himself that Steven was struggling."