Lee Carsley is poised to be rewarded for another impressive season at Everton with the offer of a new contract.

The midfielder, who is 34 next week, has remained an influential presence in David Moyes’s side as they chase UEFA Cup glory and qualification to the Champions League.

And now the Goodison manager is prepared to break with club policy to tempt Carsley into extending his six-year association with the club.

Under Moyes, Everton only begin discussions with out-of-contract players over the age of 30 until after the final game of the season.

But negotiations will begin soon with Carsley, whose present deal expires in the summer.

Only Joleon Lescott has appeared more times this campaign than Carsley who, along with Tony Hibbert, is the only player still at the club from when Moyes arrived in March 2002.

Carsley came close to joining Wigan Athletic last summer before agreeing a new one-year contract.

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