Should Everton recall in-form Dowell from Forest loan in January?

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After Kieran Dowell scores a hat-trick for Nottingham Forest against Hull, should Everton consider recalling him early from his loan?

David Unsworth, caretaker Manager of Everton, shakes hands with Beni Baningime after the Premier League match against Leicester City.

Less than 24 hours before Everton slumped to their sixth Premier League defeat of the season at Leicester City to leave them third bottom, one of their loanees was proving to be the matchwinner in the Championship.

Kieran Dowell scored a hat-trick as Nottingham Forest won 3-2 against Hull City as the 20-year-old continues to impress after moving to the City Ground on a temporary deal.

Kieran Dowell of Nottingham Forest shoots during the Carabao Cup Third Round match against Chelsea.

There were a few eyebrows raised when former manager Ronald Koeman allowed Dowell to leave Goodison Park on loan in August, with some believing he would make the step up to the first team.

The attacking midfielder had certainly been impressing in the Under-23s, helping them to the Premier League 2 title last season under the guidance of current boss David Unsworth, as well as being involved in England’s Under-20s World Cup triumph over the summer.

In fairness, loaning Dowell out to Forest looks to have been a smart decision for his development – with the Englishman having scored five goals in 18 appearances for the Reds to date – but with the Toffees struggling maybe calling an end to his time in Nottingham earlier than expected wouldn’t be such a bad decision, either.

Junior Brown of Shrewsbury tackles Kieran Dowell of Nottingham Forest during the Carabao Cup First Round.

Although the youngster generally operates behind as a number ten, something the Merseysiders are hardly short of currently, he can also play out wide and is arguably on a similar level to Dominic Calvert-Lewin now and perhaps even ahead of Ademola Lookman.

The only issue is whether the two clubs agreed a recall clause when Dowell made the move over the summer, but if the option is there and his impressive form continues, surely it would be something for whoever is in charge to seriously consider?