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AMERICAN striker Charlie Davies who lost out in the MLS comeback player of the year voting to David Beckham has emerged as an affordable answer to Everton FC’s goalscoring problems.

Charlie Davies has been released by French side Sochaux – and MLS outfit DC United, where the 25-year-old spent a successful season on-loan, have decided not to pay the $1.2m it would cost them to sign him permanently.

Davies has won 16 caps for the USA and scored 11 goals in 26 games on loan with United in the recently ended MLS season.

DC United announced last Thursday that they were not exercising their option to sign him permanently – and reports in the French media have immediately linked him with a move to Everton.

The Blues have not confirmed the link, but David Moyes has positive experiences of his dealings with American strikers – having overseen successful loans for Brian McBride and Landon Donovan in the past – and the modest transfer fee would be within Everton’s limited means.

In 2009 Davies was involved in a car accident that nearly took his life, but despite an impressive comeback which saw him finish the regular season with 11 goals, he lost out in the MLS comeback player of the year voting to LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham, who returned to the field in September 2010 after rupturing his Achilles tendon.

A colourful character, Davies became the first player in MLS history to be fined for diving – and he also filed a $20 million lawsuit against the club and promoter involved in the party he left before the near fatal 2009 car crash.

Tim Cahill, meanwhile, says he is convinced Everton will come good this season, despite a recent mini recovery being punctured by Stoke’s victory at Goodison Park last weekend and the Blues now facing a testing trip to Arsenal.

“It is such a long season and there is still 30 games to go,” he declared.

“I’m pretty sure there is going to be loads more to talk about from now until the end of the season.

“For me and the club it is about being consistent and maintaining that and trying to see where we finish. We nearly always come good all the time so it is more about taking it one game at a time and making sure we stay focused on what it important and that is basically getting results – whether it is a draw or a win.

“With our squad and the team we have got we are doing pretty well.”

EVERTON are hosting a Christmas carol service on Thursday (December 8) from 6pm at St Luke’s Church, Goodison Road and supporters are welcome to join the celebration. A limited number of tickets are still available so visit the homepage of evertonfc.com to apply for your place.