Everton manager David Moyes has revealed that he was close to signing Demba Ba before the striker moved to Newcastle.

Several managers have admitted taking a look at Ba, but the likes of Tony Pulis and Alex McLeish were put off by a presumed knee problem.

Ahead of his side's game against Newcastle tomorrow, Moyes revealed that he can not have any regrets.

"He was close to coming here," Moyes told the Daily Mirror. "He was someone I was really interested in but for one reason or another it didn't come off.

"I have had plenty of 'what-might-have-been' moments, you can't worry about that."

Moyes also praised his counterpart Alan Pardew for the success Newcastle achieved last season and admitted that they have a talented squad.

He continued: "Alan Pardew and Newcastle did a really good job and deservedly find themselves in Europe this year.

"They had a good squad last season, so it might have been hard to improve [in the summer], but they have brought one or two in.

"With Cheik Tiote, Yohan Cabaye and Hatem Ben Arfa, they have a group of very talented players. It would have been difficult and expensive to improve on that."

Everton welcome Newcastle to Goodison Park tomorrow night at 8pm.