Luke Garbutt has struggled to have an impact at Everton.
Every club has a forgotten man deep within the depths of their squad. Everton have had more than their fair share over the past, with a questionable transfer policy and proneness to injury reasons to blame.
But 24-year-old Luke Garbutt could be about to change his status from frozen out to first-teamer after being named on the Toffees’ substitute bench for the first time this season.
The former Leeds United left-back had been left to rot in the reserves by former manager Ronald Koeman, as Garbutt was not named in the 25-man Premier League squad during the first half of the season by the Dutchman.
But thanks to the January transfer window, Premier League clubs can re-submit a squad list in order to include new signings and that has allowed Sam Allardyce to name Garbutt in the squad after he was promoted to first-team training.
The Toffees are crying out for a left-back as Leighton Baines remains sidelined with a muscle injury and Cuco Martina is currently playing out of position on the left side of defence. Eliaquim Mangala is out for the rest of the season.
Joining Everton nine years ago as a 16-year-old from Leeds’ esteemed Thorp Arch academy, England youth international Garbutt has managed just 12 appearances for the Merseyside outfit since his move to Goodison Park.
It has seen him join the likes of Cheltenham Town, Wigan Athletic, Fulham and Colchester United on loan, but he has failed to make a breakthrough into the senior side except for a short-lived spell under Roberto Martinez.
But with two and a half years remaining on his contract – which is reportedly worth £27,500 a week – Garbutt could finally be given the chance he has waited patiently for by Allardyce after Saturday’s 18-man inclusion.
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