Luke Garbutt has been called up to the Everton first team – could he solve Sam Allardyce’s problems at left-back?
Luke Garbutt of Everton walks onto the field ahead of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 match against FC Dynamo Kyiv.
Luke Garbutt has been called back into the first team squad at Everton as manager Sam Allardyce looks to solve the issues at left-back.
With Leighton Baines injured and no natural alternative in the position, usual right-back Cuco Martina has been filling in and has failed to truly convince.
Under-23s boss David Unsworth, who has overseen the recent part of Garbutt’s Toffees career, has backed the 24-year-old to succeed under Allardyce.
Everton coach David Unsworth speaks with goalscorer Antony Evans after the Premier League 2 match against Tottenham Hotspur.
“I can’t speak highly enough of him,” Unsworth told the Liverpool Echo. “He’s been with us for six months now, he’s acquitted himself really well in training, he’s fitter now, we’ve done so much work on his defensive side.
“We all know his quality in the final third and from a dead-ball situation – that’s there for everyone to see.
“He’s certainly worked hard to get his opportunity to be training with the first-team squad.”
Everton Manager Sam Allardyce shouts from the touchline during the Premier League match against West Bromwich Albion.
The Merseysiders have been linked with several left-sided full-backs but with time running out in the January transfer window no movement has been made on that front.
It means that over five years since making his debut for the club he joined from Leeds United’s youth system, Garbutt could finally be given a somewhat unexpected chance to finally cement his place at Goodison Park.
To date the defender has only made 12 appearances for Everton, but with Baines sidelined and Martina struggling for form, could the former England Under-21 international be the surprise answer to a big problem for Allardyce?
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