Everton fans were not able to watch Harrison Armstrong in action on Friday, but still learned a lot about him.
The international break is over, and Everton are preparing to face Manchester United on Monday night.
David Moyes will have his full focus on Everton’s trip to Old Trafford, but may have hoped to see Harrison Armstrong in action on Friday night.
Armstrong is shining on loan at Preston North End and looks destined for a big future at Everton.
PNE hosted rivals Blackburn Rovers on Friday night, but fell to a 2-1 defeat as Armstrong missed out.
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Everton have learned a lot about Harrison Armstrong
Armstrong has picked up a groin injury and wasn’t able to be part of PNE’s Lancashire derby.
The midfielder missed two England Under-19 games in the international break, and now the reason is clear.
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Armstrong’s injury is not thought to be serious, and PNE will be hoping that he returns sooner rather than later.
This was, frankly, one of North End’s worst midfield displays of the season.
Preston North End midfielder Harrison Armstrong.
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Iceland international Stefan Thordarson came in to replace Armstrong, but he made little impact on the game.
To put it quite simply, PNE desperately missed Armstrong both in and out of possession, and his absence was a major factor in the 2-1 defeat.
That should say it all to Everton: Armstrong is already so important to North End at the age of just 18.
Very few 18-year-old loanees can be this important to a Championship team.
Armstrong is no normal 18-year-old, but Everton have now learned that his absence can seriously dent PNE’s performances as he simply knits Paul Heckingbottom’s midfield together at such an early stage in his development.
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Everton may need to think again on Harrison Armstrong
Everton want to leave Armstrong at PNE for the whole season, and rightly so.
Armstrong is developing very nicely at Deepdale, and the guaranteed first-team minutes should continue over the season, if he is fit.
The problem for Everton is that Idrissa Gueye heads to the Africa Cup of Nations in December, and Merlin Rohl is injured again.
Everton can still call on the likes of Tim Iroegbunam, James Garner and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in midfield.
However, there may be a renewed temptation to bring Armstrong back in January, even if only for a few weeks.
While Armstrong cannot go on loan to another club, he would be allowed to return to PNE if Everton recall him.