Time for Blues to stick or twist on young ones

ACADEMY PLAYERS WILL HAVE CHANCE TO SHINE

- By JOE THOMAS

EVERTON'S academy players were given an opportunity to show their potential when they joined up with the senior team for the first preseason friendly against Accrington Stanley.

Harrison Armstrong and Harry Tyrer, two players pushing to be part of David Moyes's squad for the first season at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, received the heaviest workload.

But there were also chances for the likes of Will Tamen, Isaac Heath, Jenson Metcalfe and Justin Clarke at the Wham Stadium.

With a busy summer still set to burst into life in the transfer market, the ECHO takes a look at the academy players set for an intriguing few months that will define the next stage of their development.

An experienced head on young shoulders

At 23, Harry Tyrer is perhaps too old to be called a youngster. He is also too experienced, having spent two seasons on loan first at Chesterfield then at Blackpool.

But having been at the club since he was seven, this summer represents the chance to make an impression with Everton, the opportunity he will have been waiting years for.

Tyrer was the most senior keeper in the club’s ranks for the first week of preseason and played the full game at Accrington as a result, with Jordan Pickford only returning to Finch Farm the day before the game.