Everton recalled Harrison Armstrong from his loan spell at Preston North End earlier this month.
David Moyes was forced to bring back Harrison Armstrong amidst all the injuries and absences due to AFCON.
Armstrong has really impressed his Everton teammates since returning, and Moyes heaped praise on the teenage midfielder after the Aston Villa win.
Has Harrison Armstrong done enough to stay at Everton? 🤔
At the start of the month, Moyes admitted that he would ideally like Armstrong to return to Preston but noted that he will be assessed throughout the window.
Now, Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom has just dropped a major update on the England youth international after holding talks with Toffees chiefs.
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Everton’s Harrison Armstrong expected to return to Preston
Speaking after Preston’s 3-0 defeat to Hull City last night, Heckingbottom said he expects Armstrong to return to Deepdale.
“Yeah, at the minute, we are all expecting him to come back yeah,” the 48-year-old explained.
“That can change, but as it stands, the plan was for him to come and get good experience, a lot of game time.
“He’s done himself no harm playing there, like I’m watching him play and how well he’s doing. But that’s not a surprise to David and the people at Everton… they know what they’ve got.
“But they are also aware, unless David is going to be using him, he’s probably going to be coming here and getting all his game time with us.”
Harrison Armstrong was set for fewer minutes as AFCON ends
Quite clearly, with AFCON now coming to a conclusion, Moyes is planning to put Idrissa Gana Gueye straight back into the starting line-up, forcing Armstrong to the bench.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is also due back from injury soon, so Armstrong may only get cameo appearances for the remainder of the season if he were to stay on Merseyside.
Who has been the bigger miss… Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall or Iliman Ndiaye? 🤔
Finally some good news coming Everton's way!
The 18-year-old can instead be involved in a potential promotion campaign with Preston, playing week in week out.
That would be smarter for his development and would better equip him to become a regular first-teamer for the Toffees next season.
Gueye is out of contract in the summer, so Armstrong would be the natural successor.
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