GEMMILL 'SCARED TO DEATH'

Everton midfielder Scot Gemmill has revealed his fear of being out of contract at the end of the season.

The 33-year-old, who is coming to the end of his loan spell with First Division club Preston North End, hasn't played for the Blues first-team this season and is coming to the end of his current deal.

Gemmill showed the influence he is having on the team when he scored his debut goal for the Lilywhites against Bradford City last weekend, but the news out of Deepdale is that boss Craig Brown will only extend his stay if the club manages to reach the First Division play-offs.

At the moment, with Preston eight points shy of sixth spot, that prospect seems unlikely and the Scotland international is now contemplating life without a club in the summer.

"The bottom line is my name could be on the list with probably 500 or 600 other professionals who are out of contract in the summer," he said.

"I have obviously thought about that prospect and it scares me to death really.

"But, then, so too does retirement from football and that is getting closer and closer."