Everton manager David Moyes has revealed that he brought in Anthony Gardner to Goodison Park from Tottenham, on transfer deadline day in order to fill the void left by the departure of veteran defender Alan Stubbs to Derby County.

27-year-old England international centre-back, Gardner has joined the Toffees on loan until the end of the season.

Moyes told evertonfc.com: "It was not something we had planned. I spoke to Paul Jewell (Derby boss) about Stubbsy on Wednesday afternoon – I spoke to Alan and he wanted to speak to them.

"He wants to play Stubbsy and that is great because he is 36 and sometimes you feel like hanging up your boots but not Stubbsy.

"I am disappointed to lose him but I think the form of Phil Jagielka, Joleon Lescott and Joseph Yobo has limited his opportunities so what it meant is that is left us a little bit short.

"I felt we had to go try and get some cover in so went and did some last minute shopping.

"We have a busy period coming towards the end of the season and we might need to use him. I could not take the chance of only having three centre-halves at the club in case we had an injury or suspension. Hopefully he will be fit in the next couple of weeks."