Will Armstrong be the next homegrown hero in a new era for Blues?

HARRISON ARMSTRONG may not have the luxury of easing himself into pre season at Everton.

- By MATT C JONES

These early days of summer training feel crucial for the youngster.

The Blues are in the midst of a preseason in which major surgery will take place on the squad.

Plenty of new faces will arrive, meaning that the squad that begins the new campaign will be hugely different to the one that returned to Finch Farm this week.

So for those involved who could be viewed to have their future at the club in limbo be it in terms of a loan move or a permanent departure these days could be decisive.

In the case of Armstrong, David Moyes was aware of his talents early in his second Everton tenure as manager.

"I remember Leon Osman went out on loan to Carlisle and Derby and Harrison has now gone to Derby," said the Everton boss back in February.

"Leon Osman came back from Derby, ready to get in the first team.

"He'd been a talented young player, I remember watching him in the games when he played up front quite often at that time.

"I hope Harrison is on a similar journey and becomes a great player for us.