Everton youngster Harrison Armstrong is now enjoying his loan at Preston North End and his manager Paul Heckingbottom may now have dropped a hint on a possible January recall.
David Moyes sent out the 18-year-old midfielder to find himself some more regular minutes in the men’s game before plying his trade properly on Merseyside.
It has been a positive start to Armstrong’s loan stint in the Championship, with the youngster already becoming a key part of the Preston starting XI.
Although there have been suggestions elsewhere, Everton News understands that Everton want Armstrong to remain on loan at Preston for the remainder of the season.
The 18-year-old has made a positive start to life at Deepdale and the Toffees do not was to disrupt his progress.
Ahead of the January window, Heckingbottom may now have hinted towards what may happen with Armstrong.
Preston North End v Swansea City - Sky Bet Championship
Photo by Lee Parker – CameraSport via Getty Images
Whether Everton will recall Harrison Armstrong from Preston loan
Moyes has been personally watching Armstrong in action at Deepdale throughout the early stages of the season.
Having returned from international duty, Heckingbottom was asked about Armstrong, who did not feature much for England’s U19s.
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The Preston manager’s answer may have hinted at more than just whether Armstrong had been suffering from a lack of fitness, though.
“Yeah, well there were three games on Astro Turf. We spoke with them a lot and England are the same as us… they, and Everton probably, if it was big football, tournament football for them, then it’s different,” he told the media on Wednesday.
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“But they know he’s developing and the priority for him, and everyone involved in Harrison’s development, is him playing week in, week out in the Championship.
“So, the minutes he played out there is not a reflection on how they value him as their captain. They know how good he is but they feel he’s better suited to, or better for his development right now, playing for us week in, week out in the Championship.”
Preston fans have been so impressed by Armstrong, as were the Derby County fans last season when he was out on loan at Pride Park.
Despite his excellent decisions, Heckingbottom’s comments have made it clear that the priority for his development has to be Armstrong remaining in the Championship and playing regular football.
Everton must have patience with Armstrong
Next month, Everton are going to see Idrissa Gana Gueye jet off for the Africa Cup of Nations, which will test Moyes’ strength in depth.
Everton News columnist Alan Myers is expecting Everton to eye a new midfielder in January, as well as a right-back and striker.
Harrison Armstrong 25/26 (Championship) Total
Appearances 11
Minutes 732
Starts 8
Assists 1
Pulling Armstrong away from what is proving the perfect loan could prove a real blow to his progression.
Heckingbottom has been so impressed with Armstrong, but he has not shied away from admitting that the midfielder still has a lot to develop if he wants to become a Premier League regular.
It may be a tempting idea in January, but if Armstrong is not going to play week in and week out for the remainder of the season, Everton simply must leave him out on loan at Preston.