LIVERPOOL (AFP) - Nigeria striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu has been axed by Everton from their side to face Reading on Saturday and is facing a hefty fine after returning two days late from African Nations Cup duty.

Yakubu's international team-mate Joseph Yobo arrived back on Merseyside on Wednesday but the striker only made it to the club's training complex on Friday morning, five days after Nigeria were beaten in the quarter-finals by Ghana.

The striker's tardiness infuriated manager David Moyes, who has made it clear there is no chance of Yakubu being involved in Saturday's match at Goodison Park and was expected to fine him the maximum-permitted two weeks wages, or 80,000 pounds.

"All I would say is that it is an internal matter," Moyes said. "Yak has been in this morning, I have spoken to him and he won't be included in tomorrow's squad."

South African midfielder Steven Pienaar will also miss the Reading match after damaging an ankle at the African Nations, but he is hopeful of being involved next week when Everton travel to Norway for a UEFA Cup tie with SK Brann.