Everton have had joy at loaning players out to the Championship in previous years – and Harrison Armstrong could be the next player ready to ply his trade in the Toffees’ first team after what his Preston boss said over his loan spell.
Everton have sent players to the second-tier for vital match experience in recent times, with Anthony Gordon also featuring at Preston North End, while Harrison Armstrong even had a loan spell at Derby County last season.
Leon Osman, Ross Barkley and Antonee Robinson all became Premier League stalwarts after their spells in the Championship, whilst Ellis Simms and Nathan Broadhead are now excelling after permanent moves away from Merseyside.
However, Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom’s comments on Armstrong will give Toffees boss David Moyes a lot of confidence – with the former Premier League boss labelling the youngster as ‘determined’ to better himself.
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Armstrong made his Premier League debut last season at the age of just 17, but without a clear pathway into the first-team, he joined Derby County on loan in the January window.
The Scouse native featured in 15 games for Derby, including being an ever-present for their final 10 games of the season in which he scored in a vital win over Plymouth Argyle.
A couple of superb Everton cameos for Armstrong this season then prompted a season-long loan move to Preston, where he once again has been an impressive part of the team.
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And Heckingbottom, speaking ahead of Preston’s crunch clash away at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, praised the youngster for his quality, energy levels and determination – believing Armstrong can ‘improve’ ahead of a potential return to the Hill Dickinson Stadium in January. Heckingbottom said: “We know what he brings – a hell of a lot of energy and good quality on the ball.
“And we still think we can improve him between now and the end of the season as well – and he’s determined to improve.
“They are two good additions because we were too short on the bench as well, so it’s ideal for us.”
Armstrong still has a full season to go and with Preston still occupying the play-offs, he could seek a return to the Premier League anyway,
Harrison Armstrong could still have a role going forward for Everton this season
Idrissa Gana Gueye’s red card for Everton means that Everton are short in central midfield at the moment.
As things stand, James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam are the main central midfield pairing in the Senegalese star’s absence, with loanee Merlin Rohl only making two appearances before his own injury issues took a hold.
Anthony Gordon feels Everton fans have treated him terribly
“I think the effort I gave them last year… I won players’ players (of the year) and manager’s player of the year, so for them to not even show me any credit or thank me, it hurts a little bit.”
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The German will join permanently should Everton remain in the Premier League this season, but the problem is the here and now for Everton.
With Gueye out of action due to suspension and then the Africa Cup of Nations – potentially until the end of January – David Moyes may opt to recall Armstrong to strengthen his engine room.
It would be unfair on Preston but if the Toffees are in the hunt for a European space, the Scot will take any help he can get.
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