Johnson signs long-term Everton contract

The deal - signed after the club tore up the five-year agreement he signed less than 18 months ago when he moved to Goodison Park for £8.6million from Crystal Palace - ends speculation the 26-year-old striker could be on his way out of the club in the next transfer window.

In the summer, West Ham were linked with the player and there has already been speculation that the Upton Park club will make another move for Johnson in January.

But Johnson's improved contract means his wages are now at the same level as Joseph Yobo, Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill, who have also signed new deals this season.

Johnson, who has now returned to full training following ankle surgery, is committed to Everton until the summer of 2012.

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright told evertonfc.com: "We are absolutely delighted. It is fantastic news for Evertonians.

"This deal further underlines our commitment to keep our best players at our club.

"We continue to build for the future and Andrew Johnson is very much part of that future."

The news will be a lift for manager David Moyes, as he steps up preparations for the crucial UEFA Cup Group A game at Nurnberg on Thursday, and the news will also impress the club's fans.

Since the beginning of the year, Everton have also tied key players Cahill, Arteta, Tim Howard, James Vaughan and Victor Anichebe on lengthy deals.

Added to that, Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka and Ayegbeni Yakubu also signed five-year contracts when they joined Everton in the summer and securing Johnson's services is further proof Moyes is building a squad whose best years are in the future.

Thursday's tussle at Bundesliga strugglers Nurnberg is likely to come too soon for Johnson's return but he could be back in the squad for Sunday's trip to Chelsea.

Baines - who has been sidelined since twisting his ankle in the 2-0 win at Derby nine days ago - and Alan Stubbs, who hobbled out of Saturday's victory against Birmingham with knee trouble, are both unlikely to face the Germans but may be back at Stamford Bridge.

Nuno Valente has responded to treatment after being injured in the Carling Cup tie at Luton last Wednesday and is likely to fill in for Baines at left-back in Nuremberg.

More than 1,000 Everton fans have had their tickets cancelled for the match in Germany.

Nurnberg had openly sold tickets directly to Everton supporters over the internet which would have seen fans from both clubs sitting together.

Now on UEFA instruction, after they classified the game a 'risk' match, those tickets have been cancelled because clubs are not allowed to enter into such transactions.

Fans must buy from the official allocation - believed to be 3,000 - that Everton have had for a secure part of the stadium.

Everton spokesman Ian Ross said: "We would never recommend that supporters get tickets from the host club, there are concerns when they do that, there are potential pitfalls.

"Those who have bought them are now being told they cannot use them. We got the biggest allocation we possibly could, but we could have sold them five times over."