EVERTON last night denied reports that striker James Vaughan was on the brink of joining Cardiff City.

But Blues boss David Moyes could still make room for another striker in his shot-shy forward line in January with Derby and Leicester keen to take a player both clubs have had on-loan.

Cardiff City, managed by former Everton defender Dave Jones, were reported to have agreed a £1m deal for Vaughan’s signature last night.

But the Blues say they have had no contact from the Championship club.

Vaughan has just returned to Goodison after a successful loan spell at Crystal Palace where he scored five goals in 14 appearances, but despite Everton’s much publicised striker goal drought, Moyes is prepared to let the youngster go.

Any funds generated would be unlikely to give Moyes any extra spending power, but it would help in his bid to bring in a striker on-loan.

Vaughan has made 59 appearances for Everton, but only 11 of those have been starts and his progress has been slowed by serious knee, foot and shoulder injuries.

His last senior appearance for Everton was at Tottenham almost a year ago and his last goals against Burnley on December 28 last year.

He came on as a substitute in the FA Cup final of 2009 and famously slotted a nerveless penalty kick in the semi-final shoot-out against Manchester United, but his last start for the Blues was in a Carling Cup tie at Blackburn in September 2008.

Since then he has had loan spells at Crystal Palace, Leicester and Derby.

Yakubu is one of the strikers under pressure at Everton, with only one goal to his name this season, and he accepted last night he and his fellow forwards must improve.

“We are the strikers and we are really, really struggling to score goals at the moment,” said Yakubu, who made his first appearance for a month at West Ham.

“It’s really frustrating sitting on the bench.

“But what can I do? Just keep working hard in training and hopefully I’ll get my chance.”

Everton go to Stoke City on Saturday, with the Potters missing t key defender Robert Huth.

Huth, the German centre-back who has already scored four times this season, is out after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season on Tuesday against Fulham.

Potters boss Tony Pulis is, however, hopeful of having ex-Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant available to face the Blues.

Pennant’s loan deal from Real Zaragoza has now expired but Pulis is hoping to do a deal in time for him to feature on New Year’s Day.