Everton boss David Moyes is set to put his faith in Shane Duffy as Everton enter a pivotal spell in the Blues boss’ Goodison reign.
The Derry born Ireland international has been told he is right in the mix to challenge favoured pair Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin for a first-team place as the Toffees chase a top four finish and FA Cup glory.
Duffy had previously been fourth in line to start in central defence and Moyes had considered allowing him to go on loan to gather experience, but has been impressed with his development in recent months.
And with John Heitinga’s poor run of form proving costly in recent weeks, Moyes has informed Duffy he will be going nowhere as the club attempts to compete on two fronts which could yet prove crucial to Moyes’ own Goodison future.
The 21-year-old was selected ahead of Heitinga to come on as a late substitute during Saturday’s fifth round FA Cup draw with Oldham, and will be on the bench again for the visit to face Norwich at Carrow Road in the Premier League on Saturday.
Earlier this month Duffy led the Ireland U21's to an impressive 3-0 win over the Netherlands in Tallaght Stadium and the young Galliagh defender will be keen to get some club games under his belt and force his way into Trapattoni's senior Ireland squad.
Everton Boss David Moyes has praised the maturity of Ireland U21 International Shane Duffy after his home Premier League debut at Goodison Park yesterday against Blackburn.
Speaking after the 1-1 draw Moyes said “Shane Duffy had a terrific game. He was arguably our best player today and he’s a young boy; we just needed a lot more in every department.”
Derry born Duffy has now played in the last three Everton games, standing in for the injured Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin, and after solid showings at Spurs and Aston Villa the 20 year old centre-back ran out at Goodison Park for the first time in a league game and left the stadium with the man of the match award.
Duffy looked totally composed at the heart of the 'Toffees' backline and already seems to have built up a good understanding with fellow centre-back John Heitinga. He was defensively solid and was always a threat from set pieces. He was unlucky not to have given Everton the three points when he struck the bar with a late header.
And David Moyes was delighted at the way the youngster has stepped up to the mark in such a crucial role for the side.
"Duffy has played really well in the games," Moyes told evertontv. "He has been steady and looked mature in the games he has played.
"It is not easy for a young centre-half to play in the Premier League and we have tried to keep his game steady and simple and he has done well."
Duffy spent the first half of the season on loan at Scunthorpe before his call back to the Toffees, and impressed all at Glanford Park including Iron boss Alan Knill who was keen to retain the services of the Derry man for the remainder of the season.
Earlier this week Shane Duffy set himself a target of saving David Moyes a fortune in the transfer market and if recent performances are anything to go by, he may well do just that.
Irish international Seamus Coleman scooped the Everton Young Player of the Season award at the BT convention centre in Liverpool last night
Having broken into the first team last season, the Donegal born Irishman has made massive progress since making his full Premier League debut at Fulham in September, making 39 appearances and scoring six goals.
The Killybegs winger received his award from Phil Jagielka and Leon Osman and declared: “I’m shocked. A couple of years ago I didn’t think I’d even be at Everton, let alone winning a young player of the year award.
Everyone’s been great with me since I came over, the fans and everyone in the first team squad. I’m delighted.”
Speaking after the award ceremony Toffee’s boss David Moyes said: "Seamus did tremendously well at Blackpool last season and he's given us something fresh and new this year. He's been great and, with what we've seen, we hope he'll be able to step up again."
Coleman is expected to be in the starting line-up when Everton conclude their Premiership campaign at home to Chelsea on Sunday
Everton’s 2-1 win over Fulham, and a Seamus Coleman goal was the perfect way for the young Killybegs born international to head into next Saturday's Euro 2012 game against Macedonia and the Uruguay friendly the following Tuesday.
The young Irishman says the win over Mark Hughes' side has given Everton a big lift ahead of the fixture gap, and he hopes to see the team return to Merseyside with the same level of optimism once the international fixtures are complete.
Coleman is one of David Moyes' players who will be heading off on international duty, and the 22-year-old is delighted to be leaving on the back of a home victory.
"It's what we wanted - especially going into the international break," Coleman toldevertontv. "We wanted to go away on a high so we can come back on a high.
"The win was very important. There was a good buzz in the changing rooms and everyone will head away with their countries in high spirits - it wouldn't be nice going away with a defeat so it's exactly what we wanted."
Coleman netted Everton's opener against the Cottagers for his sixth goal of the season after beating Mark Schwarzer with a powerful header from Leon Osman's cross on 35 minutes.
And with half of his tally coming from headers, Coleman revealed he's been putting in extra effort in training to increase that number before the term ends.
"Steve Round has helped me a lot since I've moved position," he continued. "Whether it be heading it into goal or heading it back across goal for someone to tap it in, it has been worked on.
"I've got a few chances at the back post in the last couple of games and the opposition goalkeeper had saved a few, so I just watched it onto my head and tried to put it back across goal and thankfully it went in.
"The deliveries coming in from the left hand side are great whether it be from Osman or Baines. I have had a few chances and maybe I should have headed a few more goals, but I'm glad I got one today."
Everton boss David Moyes feels the time may now be right to send promising young Irish international Shane Duffy out on loan to gain first team experience.
The Toffees are believed to be willing to allow the Derry born defender to go on loan, although he clearly remains firmly in Moyes plans, having made the bench for the recent Premiership clash with Spurs at White Heart Lane.
No doubt Moyes decision was swayed by the positive impact a loan spell at Blackpool last season had on the development of fellow Irish international Seamus Coleman and feels a similar experience would be hugely beneficial to 18 year old Duffy.
Moyes said: “I'd like to put Shane out on loan. We've been keeping an eye on him at first (since his injury) and keeping him indoors. He's very good in the air though, and could have come on against Crouch (v Tottenham). If we find the right club he could go on loan.”
Duffy has been progressing well since his return from the serious injury he sustained in an Irish training game accident back in May.
Everton recently refused a loan request from League two side Northampton Town for the young central defender and he is likely to be on the radar of a host of clubs looking to take the player on loan, now that the Toffee’s boss has decided he has recuperated enough from his horror injury.
Ireland international Shane Duffy seems to be very much in the future plans of David Moyes after the Everton boss refused a request from Northampton Town to take the 18 year old central defender on loan.
Despite the return from injury of Phil Jagielka, Toffee’s boss Moyes is keen to keep the Derry born defender in his sights and its likely that Duffy will see first team football as the season progresses.
Duffy has made huge progress since his horror injury in May when he underwent life-saving surgery after suffering a freak accident in an Ireland training camp match, he suffered a laceration to his liver after colliding with Irish amateur team goalkeeper Adrian Walsh during the training match at Gannon Park.
Less than eight weeks after the injury, Duffy was back training at Everton and his progress has continued with his return as reserve team captain and his call up to the bench for the clash with Tottenham last weekend.
Earlier this month Duffy also played an important central defensive role as Ireland progressed to the elite stages of the European U19 championship with wins over Serbia and Luxemburg.
Seamus Coleman continued his impressive progress for Everton this season after playing the last half hour in the Toffees superb comeback aginst Man United this afternoon, and David Moyes is keen to push the Donegal born defender all the way to a regular starting position in the team.
“Seamus is doing well. He is pushing all the time to get into the team. He is on the verges of it. We brought him on against Villa and brought him on further forward, but Tony Hibbert has started the season well.
“Seamus will be in the squad, he has been in and around every game. We’d like to help him progress but there is competition there with Tony Hibbert and Phil Neville.
“The one thing Seamus has got on his side is he is young as a footballer, not like 17 years old, but he’s come from Sligo Rovers and is not completely up to the full speed of the Premier League and what’s expected. But he’s progressing and getting close. He was a great 60 grand buy.”
Moyes adds: “He’s a right-back but came on further up against Villa because he has abilities to get forward. We are short of a right-sided midfielder at the moment.
“Jack Rodwell came off against Villa and he’d been on the right which is out of position for him, so we are looking for a solution there. Who knows? Seamus could be the one to give it a go there.
Everton boss David Moyes is set to put his faith in Shane Duffy as Everton enter a pivotal spell in the Blues boss’ Goodison reign.
