David Moyes hopes to strengthen his injury-plagued Everton squad in the January transfer window with a loan move for the USA forward, Landon Donovan.

The 27-year-old, an international team-mate of the Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard, has been earmarked by Moyes as a possible addition to his attack for next month and an initial approach has been made to Donovan's club, Los Angeles Galaxy, regarding a temporary switch to the Premier League.

Donovan was allowed to return to the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich in January of this year, having previously played for Bayer Leverkusen, and Everton hope a similar loan deal will be acceptable to the LA Galaxy following the end of their MLS season and ahead of next summer's World Cup.

The former Leverkusen forward has just enjoyed an outstanding campaign with LA Galaxy, winning the club's Golden Boot award for the fifth season in succession and also being named the MLS's Most Valuable Player. He is also the all-time leading goalscorer for the USA and flourished last season after regaining the LA Galaxy captaincy from David Beckham. The pair could well meet in England's opening World Cup game in South Africa on 12 June and were recently reconciled after Donovan publicly criticised Beckham as a poor captain and team-mate.

A loan deal for Donovan would also suit Moyes in January. The Everton manager is unlikely to have money available for permanent signings and needs to bolster a squad depleted by several long-term injuries. The Scot has enjoyed success with loaned strikers from the MLS before, signing Brian McBride for a brief but productive spell during his first full season in charge, and while his needs are arguably greater in defence, Donovan's versatility in attack would be welcome at Goodison Park.