Everton boss David Moyes is chasing Middlesbrough midfielder Matthew Bates.

The Mirror says the 22-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and will wait until June before deciding where his future lies, with Moyes' No.2 at Everton, Steve Round, an admirer from his days at the Riverside.

The England Under-20 star can play across the defence and has emerged as a tough-tackling midfielder this season after recovering from three knee operations in 18 months.