Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom expects Harrison Armstrong to return to the club.
Everton had recalled the teenager from his loan spell in light of the various injuries and absences plaguing the side. Armstrong has played every game since returning to Merseyside and impressed against Wolves, Sunderland and Aston Villa.
He played the full 120 minutes against Sunderland in the FA Cup, where he was one of the Toffees’ standout players, before playing a further 90 minutes in the excellent 1-0 win at Villa Park.
He received praise from both his teammates and manager David Moyes. “It was a big game for Harrison. He has gone a step further and he is doing well for such a young player,” the Everton boss said after their latest Premier League victory.
With Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye returning from AFCON and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall moving closer to a return, Armstrong could eventually return to Preston to play out the remainder of the season on loan in the Championship.
Asked about Armstrong after the 3-0 defeat to Hull City: “Yes, at the moment we all expect him to come back,” Heckingbottom said.
“Yes, but that could change, you know what I mean?” said Heckingbottom. “As it stands now, yes, the plan was for him to come and get good experience, a lot of playing time.
“He hasn’t done himself any harm by playing there; I watch how he plays and how well he does. But that’s no surprise to David (Moyes) and the people at Everton. They know what they have, but they are also aware that unless David starts using him, he will probably come here and get all his playing time with us.”
Although competition for a spot in the XI is expected to be stronger with the return of the currently injured players, Armstrong has shown enough intelligence, composure and awareness to stand out and get enough minutes in the second half of the season.
At the very least, he’s a great option to be called up from the bench for regular minutes and adds depth to a side often hampered by injuries.
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