Everton starlet Francis Okoronkwo dealt crushing blow as Doncaster Rovers loan update emerges
Everton’s young talent Francis Okoronkwo has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering an injury while on loan with Doncaster Rovers.
Local journalist Joe Thomas confirmed the news on X this Friday, as the striker has already returned to Finch Farm to start his recovery and rehabilitation.
The Englishman had been on loan with Lincoln City in the first half of the season before being recalled and sent back out to Doncaster Rovers in League One.
Okoronkwo seemed like he was just finding his feet for Doncaster, scoring his first goal for the club at the back end of January, before picking up a hamstring injury shortly after.
That same issue will now see him sidelined for the foreseeable future.
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What is Francis Okoronkwo’s contract situation at Everton?
Everton will now have to reassess what to do with the youngster in the summer, but with his age of 21, the news isn’t ideal for all parties, and this is why.
He joined the Toffees in 2021 for a fee of £1million, and his contract is set to expire this summer. The loan moves were a chance for Okoronkwo to impress this season and earn new terms at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
| Team | Games | Goals |
| Lincoln City | 20 | 2 |
| Doncaster Rovers | 5 | 1 |
Ideally, had he done well while out on loan, he could have been given a new deal and had a chance to even break into David Moyes’ side at one point in the future.
The other scenario could have been the Blues making a profit from Okoronkwo’s potential future sale, but as things stand, the signs are pointing to his exit in the summer following his contract expiry.
This could mean a waste of a £1m investment, which ended in such a heartbreaking way.
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The saving grace from Finch Farm
Finch Farm has produced the likes of Jarrad Branthwaite and Harrison Armstrong through the ranks over the years, but Bluenoses are desperate to see the next star breakthrough.
Unfortunately for Okoronkwo, it most likely won’t be him with the way things are looking, but Braiden Graham could be next.
The winger has been lighting it up for Everton’s U21s this season, stealing the headlines for fantastic performances.
The teenager now has eight goals in the Premier League 2, and has even trained with Moyes’ first team on occasions.
So it’s not all doom and gloom on Merseyside.
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