Everton to sanction Harrison Armstrong exit after what Paul Heckingbottom has said
Harrison Armstrong has only just returned to Everton from his loan at Preston.
Mainly due to AFCON, but also injuries, Everton have had a distinct lack of squad depth over the last few weeks.
That was likely part of the reason behind the Toffees recalling Armstrong from his loan at Preston, where he was thriving in the Championship.
Since his return, the youngster has showcased his quality under David Moyes, but yet another exit could be on the cards in January.
Paul Heckingbottom expects Harrison Armstrong to return
Armstrong has been a breath of fresh air since coming back to Everton, and given the amount of gametime handed to him, Moyes is clearly a fan.
His loan move to Preston has evidently benefited his development, with the 19-year-old having played 17 times, with one goal to his name.
However, the Lilywhites were left frustrated when the Toffees recalled their midfielder in January, seemingly to make up for their lack of options in the middle of the park.
That loan move could come to fruition again this month, with Heckingbottom expecting a deal to be done for Harrison in the next few days.
“At the minute, we’re all expecting him to come back,” Heckingbottom said in his latest press conference.
“The plan was for him to come and get good experience, a lot of gametime; he’s done himself no harm playing there.
“Unless David’s [Moyes] gonna be using him, he’ll probably come here and get all his gametime with us.”
David Moyes may have already given the green-light for Armstrong to leave again
It made sense for the Toffees to exercise their right to recall Armstrong, but their decision to keep him will hinge on one thing – How much gametime will he get between now and the end of the season?
At 19 years old, the midfielder needs to play consistently, and while he has been at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, it remains to be seen if that will continue when the likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Idrissa Gueye return.
Moyes seems to have already made that decision after what he said upon Armstrong’s initial return from loan.
Armstrong’s Preston stats.
- 17 appearances
- One goal, One assist
- Eight chances created
- Nine dribbles completed
At the start of January, Moyes explained: “The truth is I would like him to go back to Preston. I want Preston to get promoted. They’re in a really good position, they’re pushing for the play-offs,
“If things allow me, then I will certainly send him back because I think it’s really good for his education. But we need him at the moment. If he does well, then we will keep hold of him.”
As for the latter point, he has done well, but Moyes will be well aware of the need for him to be playing each and every week.
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