Asked if Anichebe was in the squad for the game at Goodison Park against Bolton tomorrow, Moyes said he was not because he was injured.

He then sported a wry grin and remained silent when asked further questions about Anichebe by the same interviewer.

The journalist tried to change the subject but Moyes still refused to answer when asked questions about Bolton boss Gary Megson and the Wanderers team.

The press conference was then ended as it was suggested Moyes moved on to a separate media briefing with radio journalists.

Anichebe, 20, and his boss reportedly had a falling out at the Toffees' Finch Farm complex on Tuesday.

The player was not involved in the following day's FA Cup fourth-round replay victory over Merseyside rivals Liverpool at Goodison Park after being listed as injured.

The player has subsequently apologised.

Moyes later called talkSPORT to explain his actions at the press conference.

"As soon as the journalist was allowed to ask one (question about Anichebe) he followed up. But he didn't ask me about his injury with the second question, he asked about a newspaper report and we keep our business in-house at Everton.

"That's why we have a bit of class and we don't criticise people openly.

"I'd said there would only be one question [about Victor] and he (the reporter) knew that. The agreement was he would ask me one question on Victor and he was happy to do that.

"I was happy to answer all the questions prior to it in the press conference today and when (the journalist asked another question about Anichebe) he let me down. I try to do all the press conferences and I very rarely try to duck an issue. If you ask me about a penalty kick, if you ask me about a sending-off then I always try and give my opinion. But today I told the journalist one question and he went with another one."