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David Unsworth confirms contact over summer transfer for Everton’s Jose Baxter

David Unsworth, Manager of Everton U23 looks on during the Premier League 2 match between Arsenal and Everton at Meadow Park on February 5, 2018 in...
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Baxter returned to Everton last year, 12 months after his release by Sheffield United.

David Unsworth, Manager of Everton U23 looks on during the Premier League 2 match between Arsenal and Everton at Meadow Park on February 5, 2018 in Borehamwood, England.

Everton Under-23s coach David Unsworth has confirmed interest from other clubs in Jose Baxter.

The Everton academy product returned to Goodison Park last summer, after serving a year-long drugs ban which brought an end to his Sheffield United career.

The 26-year-old signed a 12-month contract with the Toffees, and is using that time to get himself back up to speed ahead of a return to first team football – albeit most likely elsewhere.

And after a succession of injury problems, Baxter has started to appear frequently for Everton U23s of late – which Unsworth has claimed has prompted ‘a lot of phone calls’ ahead of the summer transfer window.

Joe Willock of Arsenal is challenged by Jose Baxter of Everton during the Premier League 2 match between Arsenal and Everton at Meadow Park on February 5, 2018 in Borehamwood, England.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Unsworth said of the former Sheffield United midfielder: “He’s training everyday.

“When he came to us he broke down three times with muscle injuries which is not normal but it was understandable considering the length of time he’d been out.

“We’ve had to tread really carefully with him and he’s now at the stage where he’s coming on for half an hour in games or affecting games so we’ll look to give him more minutes under his belt and his performances will determine if he goes anywhere else in the summer.”

Unsworth added: “He’s on the right track, there’s still a couple of months to go in the season.

“I’ve had a lot of phone calls about him asking the question about what happens in the summer but that is up to Jose and we’ve tried to help him, we have helped him and he’s been a pleasure to work with.”

Sheffield United's English midfielder Jose Baxter (R) goes to challenge Queens Park Rangers' Chilean defender Mauricio Isla (L) during the English FA Cup third round football match between...

Initially dubbed ‘the next Wayne Rooney’, Baxter failed to fulfill his potential at Everton, who released him at the end of the 2011-12 campaign.

The Bootle-born player resurfaced at Oldham Athletic later that year and impressed to earn a move to the Latics’ then League One rivals, Sheffield United, in 2013.

What would be a good next move for Baxter?