Landon Donovan may return to Everton if MLS strike goes ahead

Landon Donovan says he might return to Everton if the Major League Soccer players go on strike next week. Donovan scored two goals in 13 games during an impressive 10-week loan from LA Galaxy that ended on Saturday ahead of the start of the MLS season, which may yet be delayed by industrial action. The MLS players, who are centrally contracted to the league as opposed to their clubs, are hoping to broker a new deal with the MLS which would allow greater freedom of movement between clubs. At present the MLS owns all player contracts and restricts movement within the league when deals expire. The MLS Players Union said last week that it will strike if an agreement is not reached by 25 March – a situation which could theoretically free Donovan to return. "There's nothing concrete set up," Donovan said at a news conference yesterday. "I think we've all been very clear about the possibility that I could go back if something happens. It's crossing that bridge when we get to it, right now." "Nobody wants to go on strike if it can be avoided," he added. "We've made it very clear from the beginning that we're not trying to bankrupt the league and ask for tons of monetary increases. But we need basic rights if we're going to continue playing. We want rights afforded other players in other countries that we don't have. We're very unified on the way we think."