NEVILLE HITS OUT AT CITY

Everton skipper Phil Neville has criticised Manchester City's pursuit of his team-mate Joleon Lescott.

The Toffees have turned down a second, improved, bid for the defender with City expected to be back again with a new offer.

Their first bid was £15million earlier in the month, with an £18million offer made and quickly rejected on Wednesday night.

Everton have constantly maintained that the player is not for sale.

Boss David Moyes had City's second offer relayed to him in the United States a couple of hours before the friendly against the Major League Soccer All-Stars in Salt Lake City.

Neville said: "The club have turned down two offers and the manager is not prepared to sell him. Let's move on and let's look forward to the new season.

"Will City get the message? The way they are going about their business, I don't think they will. There are ways and means of doing things - and Everton do it the right way."

Everton have been infuriated by City's persistence, with sources at the club complaining that the business has been carried out through the media.

Everton maintain now that the only way that the situation will change is if Lescott asks for a transfer.

The 26-year-old England international played the full 90 minutes of Everton's 1-1 draw in Utah, and scored a penalty in the 5-4 shoot-out victory.

Neville has sympathy for Lescott's position , and said: "It's not a nice situation for any player to be in when there is lots of speculation but Joleon has remained tight to the group throughout.

"His professionalism is second to none and he has been outstanding on this tour. We can only take things on face value."

Everton are now heading back from the States and are not expected back on Merseyside, via Heathrow, until Friday afternoon.

Then their next match is a friendly at Coventry on Sunday, with a visit to Blackpool on Tuesday and a home friendly with Malaga next Friday.

And Everton are now resigned to another approach from City, with their boss Mark Hughes making it clear that Lescott was a player he clearly admired.

If Lescott agitates for a move, or asks for a transfer, Everton may have to do business at around £25m.

PIENAAR REJECTS EVERTON'S FIRST OFFER

Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar has confirmed he rejected the club's initial offer of a new contract.

Pienaar is still locked in talks with the Toffees and he admits that he does want to stay with the club - but is also keen to be playing Champions League football again.

"It is seldom that both parties come to an agreement at the first attempt," he is quoted by AFP as saying.

"Coming to such an important agreement takes time. We have only just started discussions and we will keep on talking until hopefully we get a deal that is right for both parties.

"The fact that it is taking time does not mean I am unhappy at Everton, but this next contract for me is obviously very important at this stage of my career.

"I would like to play Champions League football again and hopefully that will be with Everton."

Pienaar - who joined from Borussia Dortmund in 2007 - has two-years left on his current deal.

TOFFEES HOPE PIENAAR WILL STAY

Everton are still confident they will be able to tie midfielder Steven Pienaar to a new long-term contract.

The South Africa international, 27, has two years of his current deal to run but has been engaged in negotiations that will give him a pay rise and extended stay.

Everton are trying to secure all their top players on long-term deals, and club chairman Bill Kenwright has been handling the negotiations with Pienaar.

The initial offer has been rejected, but talks are set to continue.

A club source said: "Everyone is still talking, and we are confident there will be a happy outcome."

Pienaar is currently with the Everton squad in Salt Lake City, Utah, preparing for Wednesday's warm-up match against a Major League Soccer representative side.

Everton lost the first match of their tour of Canada and the US, going down 1-0 to River Plate in Edmonton.

The match saw teenager Jack Rodwell play his first pre-season match, having been given extra time off after appearing in the European Championships for England Under-21s.

Rodwell played in central midfield, despite suggestions that he would soon operate in central defence, with Phil Jagielka not expected back to fitness following his knee injury until November.

Rodwell said: "I am not sure where I will be playing this season. I started for the first team in midfield last season and played most of my games there, so maybe it will be the same again - I am not really sure.

"I have had a few days' training now and it has been hard getting back into it. It is about getting back to a good level of fitness and I managed to play the full 90 minutes.

"I was pleased to get my first game behind me and hope to play on Wednesday. The MLS have some really good players playing and it will be tough."