FOOTBALL DIGEST

EVERTON will play Slovakian side Ruzomberok in their Europa League third qualifying round first leg at Goodison Park on Thursday. The Goodison club are close to a deal for Feyenoord striker Josh Zirkzee, 16. THE Africa Cup of Nations will be switched from January and February to summer from 2019, the Confederation of African Football has announced. It means Premier League clubs will no longer lose players midway through the season.