Everton have rejected Celtic's request to take James McFadden on loan in January.

The Barclays Premier League club have refused to sanction the Scotland international's exit after a formal request was made by the Scottish champions over the weekend.

Everton chief executive Keith Wyness said: "It is absolute nonsense to suggest that James McFadden will be joining Celtic on loan.

"The fact is Celtic made a request to us on Saturday and it was immediately rejected out of hand.

"We are in the Carling Cup semi-finals, the last 32 of the UEFA Cup and still have the FA Cup to come. We also have Premiership commitments, so we need all our top players around."

However, the player himself would consider a return north of the border.

"I'd love to play in the Premiership but if it's not going to happen, or if a chance to go back to Scotland came in and I felt it was the right thing for me, then I would do it," said McFadden.

"The club have made it clear they want to offer me a contract and I have not gone down that road yet because I want to try to get into the team before I start talking about contracts."