Everton likely to recall Armstrong to help navigate selection crisis
Harrison Armstrong is preparing to return to his parent club this coming week after David Moyes admitted that Everton are likely to bring him back from his loan spell at Preston while striker Martin Sherif is called back from Rotherham.
Armstrong, who spent part of last season at Derby County, has been getting valuable playing time and experience at Deepdale part of North End's promotion push and has become a vital part of Paul Heckingbottom's team.
Everton would be loathe to pull him out of that positive and beneficial environment. However, the absence of Idrissa Gueye (Africa Cup of Nations), Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (hamstring injury) and now Charly Alcaraz has reduced Moyes's options in midfield to the bare minimum and, absent an early move in the January transfer window, Armstrong will be needed to plug the gaps.
Ideally, the Blues would bring Armstrong back until Gueye returns from international duty with Senegal and then send the 18-year-old back to Preston for the remainder of the season.
"Most likely we'll bring Harrison Armstrong back," Moyes told Joe Thomas of the Liverpool Echo after Everton's surprise victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground last night.
Sherif has been at Rotherham since the summer and had scored two goals in seven League One appearances but has missed over a month now through injury.
Reader Responses
Selected thoughts from readers31/12/2025 07:28:06
Agree with Lyndon. Let him go back to Preston once Senegal get knocked out. However, I would love us to give a proper run to a teenager, like many clubs do. It makes us all feel better if it works out. Also, being local can be a double-edged sword.
31/12/2025 12:06:19
Bringing Harrison back for a few games in which we are likely to be short of bodies will not impede his progress. Once Gana and Dewsbury-Hall are back in mid to late January he can return to Preston to complete his season.
Add Your Thoughts
Only registered users of Evertonia can participate in discussions.
Or Join as Evertonia Member — it takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your thoughts on artices across the site.
31/12/2025 06:15:53
Unless he's going to get proper minutes then I would leave him where he is. Preston are pushing for promotion at the moment and this would add to the experience gained from the loan spell.
Last night's game showed that we have squad players capable of stepping up, albeit against a poor Forest. You bring Armstrong into the squad and some of those same squad players disappear again. It ends up being counter productive.