James Vaughan is set to miss the end of the season, and could face a career of misery after jarring the same knee which required an operation three years ago and put him out of action for over 18 months.

‘The knee just locked a couple of times in training, and it is terrible luck for the boy,’ said manager David Moyes, who was yesterday named Barclays manager of the month. ‘We don’t know yet whether it is the same problem as before, but it is the same knee.
‘We decided he should have an operation now, rather than wait until the end of the season, and he has to be a doubt for the rest of this campaign.’

James Vaughan came on as a 45th minute substitute for Everton yesterday as his side beat Reading 1-0, but it wasn’t until the teenager’s introduction that the game changed.

In the first half, Everton lacked fire, lacked any real direction, and failed to make any real impact on the game. Then James Vaughan replaced Manuel Fernandes.

From the off James chased and harrassed as only he can, and reminded the Reading defence what it was like to face a striker again, after Andrew Johnson’s running had got him nowhere in the first half.

He created a guilt-edged chance for Johnson who rounded the keeper and fired wide when it seemed easier to score, and he made the most of a sloppy pass from Phil Neville, who played the ball behind him on the edge of the area. James spun, bounced the ball straight up off the ground, and scissor-kicked a powerful shot goalwards only to see it tipped around the post.

Another example of why Vaughan should start a game soon, and a game in which he can feel unlucky not to have scored.

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James has been called up for the England 21 squad for the forthcoming fixture against Republic of Ireland in a European Championship qualifier at Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium on Tuesday, February 5.

James Vaughan got a run out in Everton’s semi final against Chelsea on Wednesday night, but was unable to force himself on the game and make the kind of impact that was needed.

Thrown on just after Chelsea scored, replacing Lee Carsley, Vaughan looked distraught at the final whistle.

James got a run out against Wigan today and immediately added to the blues’ threat upfront, chasing and harrassing the Latics’ defence, adding to the menace provided by Andrew Johnson.

Mario Melchiott will remember James after having a particularly steady game at right-back for Wigan, until faced with the fresh legs of our young striker!

Another game in his task of getting a good run of fitness and form.

James Vaughan was back in action for Everton again this week after being left out of the 16 that travelled to Old Trafford on Sunday by David Moyes.

He replaced Victor Anichebe on the bench for the visit of Bolton Wanderers and although he only got onto the pitch for a matter of moments, he will have been glad to be included again and be hoping to start the fight to claim a starting place again.

James Vaughan last night scored Everton’s winner as the Blues ended the group stages of the UEFA Cup with a 100% unbeaten record, beating AZ Alkmaar 3-2.

Vaughan was used as a 70th minute substitute after AZ had equalised for the second time, and pushed upfront with youth team strike partner Victor Anichebe to give us a glimpse of what the future holds at Goodison Park.

His impact was immediate, proving to be a constant menace to the AZ defence, and he was rewarded just before time when a sublime pass from his strike partner found him in behind the defence to slot coolly passed the advancing AZ keeper.

James Vaughan has been called into the England Under 21 squad once more this season by Stuart Pearce, and will be hoping to find himself in the starting line-up with usual Under 21 strikers, Leroy Lita and David Nugent not included in the squad.

James will also be hoping to avoid any further aggrevation of his thigh injury that ruled him out of the trip to Nuremberg with Everton last night while hs is away with England.

James Vaughan has been left out of Everton’s second group stage UEFA Cup game tomorrow night.

The striker does not travel with the 22 who landed in Nuremberg earlier today, and will instead spend the coming days on the treatment table for what is described as “slight” thigh strain.

After scoring in the last minute of Everton’s 3-1 win against Birmingham on Saturday, missing out on a trip to Europe with the blues will come as a massive blow to the striker who was hoping to making his impact on the first team once again.

Everton boss David Moyes has warned the Premier League to beware of the threat posed by returning striker James Vaughan.

The talented teenager returned from a series of major injury problems to help fire The Toffees to victory over Birmingham on Saturday.

After scoring on his debut against Crystal Palace in April 2005, Vaughan has been forced to fight his way back to fitness from a serious knee injury, a ruptured artery in his foot and a dislocated shoulder.

But, after stepping off the bench in the 80th minute against Blues, Vaughan slotted home in injury time to help the home side to a 3-1 victory.

Moyes is delighted to have Vaughan available again.

“There won’t be many centre-halves who will look forward to playing against James Vaughan when we get him in the condition he should be in,” said Moyes.

“He just needs games now, but there is no doubting he is going to be a really good player for us.”

And Vaughan, who also featured as a substitute in the Carling Cup win over Luton, is just delighted to be back in action.

He told Everton’s official website: “I’ve been running on adrenalin. I feel fresh, I feel fine and I feel fit. Hopefully I can kick on from here.

“It was a good game to play against Luton, especially as it went to extra time as I got a bit more match practice behind me.

“We have a lot of good strikers here, so anyone coming in is going to have to score goals and play well every game. It’s good to have that competition.

“With everyone being fit, it is driving the lads on and it helps that the players have a lot more confidence now.

“It was really enjoyable just to get back and play again and to get the goal that sealed the victory was a bit special.”