Could another Derry man play for Everton?
Everton manager. Roberto Martinez says new loan signing Lacina Traore also has an outside chance of making the travelling party for Sunday’s game at Spurs.
Fellow-loanee, Gerard Deulofeu who enjoyed some scintillating performances before suffering a serious injury, will also be part of the squad.
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Hide Ad“Seamus Coleman has come through training really well,” Martinez confirmed at his pre-match press conference on Friday morning.
“Lacina is progressing really well. I just need to assess if it’s wise or not to give him playing time. he is fully fit from a medical point of view, it’s just a matter of giving him the right playing time over the next two or three weeks because the last thing we want is him to push himself and suffer as a result of trying to get the tempo and physicality of the premier league,” added Martinez.
The Blues boss added that Deulofeu was ‘desperate’ to get involved again.
Long term absentees Darron Gibson, from Derry, Arouna Kone and Bryan Oviedo remain sidelined.
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Hide AdMeanwhile, young Derry City player, Joshua Tracey is the latest local lad to be linked with the Toffees. As well as Gibson, Galliagh man Shane Duffy is also on Everton’s books.
The Derry City youngster is just back from a trial with the Premier League champions, Manchester United but Everton are also looking at the young prospect. After his trial with United, Roberto Martinez’s side took the 17-year-old on trial also, which unfortunately had to be cut-short after he picked up a groin injury. However the Toffees want a second look and, despite being a Man Utd fan, the teenager was very impressed by what he saw during his short time at Everton.
The 17-year-old was overwhelmed by his treatment at Old Trafford, where he wore the famous No 7 shirt during his trial.
But friends say the Derry City U-19 winger was extremely impressed by the “family” atmosphere at Everton after his visit to their Finch Farm training facilities, and that he was particularly struck by the way he was treated by the star players, especially Distin.
He will return to Everton soon to complete the trial.
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Hide AdHe said: “I’ve just started in my second year with Derry so I don’t have to go anywhere to be honest. I’m only 17 years old.
“I’ll be returning to Everton to complete my trial in about two weeks time. It is another great club and it has that Irish and Derry connection so we’ll see how things turn out.”