Sheffield United linked with January move for Everton youngster after he scores for Blades U23s on trial

Everton’s Kieran Phillips scored 11 goals in 12 games for his side’s U23s last season and penned his first professional contract in the summer. According to the Liverpool Echo, he played and scored for United’s U23s in a 3-3 draw with Bolton Wanderers on Monday.

Phillips has played just five minutes for Everton’s youngsters this season, and the Echo report that Everton expect him to leave in January on a permanent deal to further his career elsewhere.

Phillips, who hails from Yorkshire, was out of the game for over two years after suffering a double knee fracture, amongst fears that his knee would completely collapse at one stage and he would be unable to walk again.

But the striker returned for the U18s last season at Everton and signed a one-year extension to his contract in the summer.

United enjoy a good relationship with the Toffees, whose U23 set-up is overseen by former Blade David Unsworth. United loaned Kieran Dowell from Everton last season, and have taken Mo Besic on a temporary deal until the end of the current campaign.

United’s next U23 game is next Tuesday, against rivals Sheffield Wednesday.