Everton defender Luke Garbutt has not featured once this season for Sam Allardyce’s first-team.
Garbutt has not featured for Everton this term, despite the Toffees’ lack of options at left-back, as he was not registered by Ronald Koeman at the start of the campaign.
The youngster was once tipped to have a bright future at Goodison Park, but his future now appears firmly up in the air.
And Allardyce suggested that Garbutt wasn’t anywhere near his first-team plans.
“My understanding is that he wasn’t included in the 25-man squad at the start of the season so he hasn’t been training with us,” Allardyce said.
“We’ve got to the end of January to assess players who haven’t been included in that squad that they’re willing to fight to get in the squad and a chance to get in the first team.”
Everton have played Cuco Martina out of position at left-back this term, with Garbutt having to watch on from the sidelines.
Garbutt has impressed for Everton’s development side, but he clearly hasn’t done enough to convince Allardyce he is worthy of a first-team place.
The England youth international could now have to move elsewhere this month to get first-team football.
Garbutt is now 24, and surely needs to be playing regularly, if he is to fulfil his potential.
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