North Queensland Fury star Robbie Fowler is so desperate for company in Townsville he spent Christmas with Evertonians! In his column for the Townsville Bulletin, Fowler revealed: "While many of the lads are probably living the high life of fine dining and enjoying a lemonade or two, for me, it's been all about sleeping in and staying up late.

"No, I'm not partying - far from it - rather it's so I can get in line with a different time zone and chat with my family as they enjoy a white Christmas back home.

"I missed the fact the kids weren't able to get me up at 'silly' o'clock to get into the presents, but I still got that Christmassy feel thanks to Robbo (James Robinson).

"Robbo and his missus who were nice enough to invite me over for a scouser's Christmas.

"Ordinarily I try and do my best not to associate with people from the Everton side of Merseyside, but the giant roast feast was far too good to refuse."

Fury teammate Robinson arrived in Australia via Crewe Alexandra.