SPANISH giants Barcelona have hit back at Everton outcast Royston Drenthe after he accused Lionel Messi of racial abuse.

Drenthe, who is spending the season at Goodison Park on a season long deal from Real Madrid, claimed that he was taunted by the Argentina superstar when they met in the Primera Division.

But Barca today insisted the accusations were “well wide of the mark”.

When quizzed on the issue, a Barca spokesman said: “The player has always shown a maximum respect and sportsmanship towards his rivals, something which has been recognised by his fellow professionals many times, and we are sure that any accusations to the contrary are well wide of the mark.

“His behaviour throughout his career has always been exemplary.”

Drenthe, who has been banned from the Blues' Finch Farm training ground, also revealed this week that he hopes to return to play in Holland next season.

The enigmatic Dutch international has been barred from the club's base since before the FA Cup semi-final and will not feature in Sunday's final game of the season at home to Newcastle United.

Leading scorer Nikica Jelavic, who has struck 10 goals in 12 starts since signing from Rangers in January and is expected to face the Magpies, has been named in a preliminary Croatia squad for next month’s European Championships in Poland and Ukraine.

National team coach Slaven Billic gave Jelavic the good news yesterday and the Blues' frontman will get the opportunity to cement his spot for the tournament in a friendly against Estonia on May 25 before the final squad play a final warm-up game against Norway on June 2.

England face Belgium at Wembley on that date with Everton defenders Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka are hoping to be included.

Newcastle, meanwhile, have reported no fresh injury concerns ahead of Sunday's 3pm kick-off with manager Alan Pardew, who has guided the side to fifth in the Premier League table, in confident mood.

“We’re well set. Everybody is fit from the team that faced Man City and apart from the long-term we’re OK,” he said. “The spirits going into Everton are very good, especially after the Chelsea result which confirmed we will finish at least fifth. We’re just looking forward to Sunday now – and going out on a high.”

Meanwhile Sylvain Distin was named players’ player of the year last night at Everton’s seventh end-of-season awards, which were held at St George’s Hall.

The young player of the year went to Apostolos Vellios.

And legendary captain, the late Brian Labone, was the latest ‘Everton Giant’ inducted into the hall of fame.

Labone played 534 times for his beloved Everton in 13 years – a record for an outfield player. He also won two league titles and an FA Cup.

While 16-year-old Sarah McNabb was named as Everton’s fan of the year.