Everton return to pre-season training on Thursday and manager David Moyes, away on a family holiday until then, would like Round installed as quickly as possible.

But there is a clear dispute between the clubs over when Round's contract at St James' Park officially ends.

Everton believed Round's contract ends tomorrow and that he would be free to take up his appointment as Moyes' number two.

But Newcastle insist that they hold a one-year option on the 37-year-old former Derby player, and are demanding compensation for the coach who was former Magpies manager Sam Allardyce's first appointment this time last summer.

An Everton spokesman said: "There is an issue over an option on the contract and the clubs are in ongoing discussions over a solution.

"We believe it is something that can be sorted out to allow the appointment to be made."

Everton were given permission to speak to Round last week but cannot take the appointment further until the compensation wrangle is concluded.

Moyes has worked without a deputy since Alan Irvine left to take over as manager of Preston in November, but with the help of reserve-team coach Andy Holden he managed to guide Everton back into the UEFA Cup with a fifth-place finish in the Premier League.

Round comes with the highest credentials. The Burton-on-Trent born former full-back was forced to retire from playing at Derby through injury after making just nine league appearances.

He then worked as a coach under Steve McClaren at Derby, and again when McClaren took over at Middlesbrough. He was also part of the England backroom set-up under the former national coach.

Round had continued working for Middlesbrough but left when Gareth Southgate took over as manager.

He then became first-team coach at Newcastle under Allardyce and has continued working for Kevin Keegan, who is believed to have wanted him to stay at the club although no new contract offer was made.

Everton depart to a Swiss training camp at the weekend, and will play Sion in a friendly on July 12.

They return to England to play further away friendlies at Cambridge United, Preston and Nottingham Forest in seven days, starting on July 19.

They then fly to the United States for matches against Chicago Fire on July 30 and Colorado Rapids on August 3, and have a home friendly with PSV Eindhoven on August 9.

Everton's African contingent, Joseph Yobo, Aiyegbeni Yakubu, Victor Anichebe and Steven Pienaar, who have only just completed World Cup and African Nations Cup qualifiers this month, will not return for training with the rest of the squad this week.

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