By Andy Hunter of the Liverpool Echo

STEVE Simonsen could finally be handed his full Premiership debut this Saturday - three years after being touted Britain's most expensive goalkeeper after his move across the Mersey.

Everton manager Walter Smith is considering dropping Paul Gerrard in the wake of his performance against Newcastle on Saturday, when his first-half howler gifted Craig Bellamy the crucial opener and put Abel Xavier out of action for three weeks.

And with Norwegian international Thomas Myhre firmly out of the picture at Goodison Park having failed to dislodge Gerrard last season, Smith is now tempted to hand the 22-year-old his first Everton start at Bolton on Saturday.

Simonsen, impressive in a few pre-season friendlies, made a much-publicised switch from Tranmere in 1998 reported to be worth £3.3million to the cash-strapped Prenton Park outfit.

However, Everton have paid only a fraction of that fee with Simonsen's senior career so far limited to a substitutes' display and a Worthington Cup outing.

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