Loan Watch: 6th November

Shane Duffy (above) got another ninety minutes of playing time under his belt as Scunthorpe lost 2-0 at Bournemouth in League One. Scott Malone and Wes Thomas scored the Cherries' goals.

Femi Orenuga was not involved as Notts County drew 1-1 with Wycombe Wanderers.

Jose Baxter missed Tranmere's goalless draw with Colchester through suspension following a red card last time out.

Luke Garbutt helped Cheltenham Town into third place in League Two with a 0-1 away win at Bradford. Robins boss Mark Yates described his side's performance as 'the best of the season'.

James Wallace made his debut for Shrewsbury Town, but only lasted 24 minutes before he was shown red for a lunge on Dagenham & Redbridge's Jon Nurse.

Connor Roberts made his second appearance for Northern Premier League side Burscough and impressed in goal for the Linnets, despite his side going down 2-1 to Frickley Athletic.

João Silva played for Portuguese side Vitória de Setúbal as they drew 0-0 with Gil Vicente on Sunday evening.

Wallace Joins Shrews On Loan

Midfielder James Wallace has become the latest player to leave Everton on loan, joining League Two side Shrewsbury Town for a month.

As with the loan deals of Shane Duffy, Jose Baxter and Luke Garbutt, Wallace's stay at the Greenhous Meadow is likely to be extended once the initial one-month deal has expired.

Central midfielder Wallace, 19, is an established member of Everton's reserve team and has been capped at U20 level for England. He already has some experience of playing in the lower leagues, having previously enjoyed loan spells at Bury and Stockport County.

Shrews manager Graham Turner said of his new recruit: "He comes highly recommended by David Moyes both as a player and as a professional."

Wallace could make his debut for Shrewsbury, who currently lie sixth in League Two, against Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday.

Everton Reserves 2-0 Sunderland Reserves

Everton's second string recorded a 2-0 victory over Sunderland on Tuesday afternoon thanks to a late strike from Conor McAleny and an own goal from Sunderland's Liam Marrs.

Marcus Hahnemann started his first game since joining the club and the American custodian was joined in making his reserve team debut by 16-year-old left-back Ibou Touray. German U20 defender Shkodran Mustafi was joined in central defence by Jake Bidwell - a left-back by trade - whilst Tyias Browning played at right-back.

Adam Forshaw and Magaye Gueye operated the flanks with James Wallace and Ross Barkley in the centre of midfield. Argentine Denis Stracqualursi partnered the returning James McFadden up front.

The Everton bench consisted of; Adam Davies, John Lundstram, Femi Orenuga, Conor McAleny and Anton Forrester.

It was midfielder - and Everton captain - James Wallace who had the game's first opportunity, firing wide from 25 yards after 12 minutes. At the other end Tyias Browning was forced into making a goal-line clearance after a dangerous Sunderland corner.

It was Wallace who had the best chance of the opening period. French winger Magaye Gueye sent in a low ball but the resulting shot from the onrushing Wallace was just over the crossbar.

Marcus Hahnemann was called into action to save a half-volley from Sunderland's Jordan Cook, but an exciting first-half was to end on a sour note for Everton as forward Denis Stracqualursi picked up an injury. He was replaced by Anton Forrester, who has been scoring for fun in the U18s.

Scotsman James McFadden was withdrawn at the break and replaced by young Conor McAleny. Everton had the better of the opening second-half exchanges, with substitute McAleny and Gueye both going close.

The blustery conditions almost contrived to thwart Everton as Hahnemann misjudged a cross, but Tyias Browning was there again to clear. Ross Barkley had a shot deflected over before Everton made their third and final substitution as James Wallace made way for Femi Orenuga.

Everton's pressure told when they took the lead on 82 minutes. Adam Forshaw's cross, aimed for the lurking Anton Forrester, hit the unfortunate Sunderland defender Liam Marrs and flew into the net.

A minute later Everton doubled the lead. Conor McAleny capitalised on an error by David Meyler and raced through to put Everton 2 goals to the good.

Marcus Hahnemann made sure his first game ended with a clean sheet with a superb save from Sunderland's Roarie Deacon and the game ended 2-0.

Everton 3-1 Sheffield United

It is hard to remember a Carling Cup second round victory greeted with as much relief as the 3-1 triumph over third-tier side Sheffield United last night.

Yet that was the overriding feeling after goals from Richard Cresswell (OG), Victor Anichebe (no, really) and Mikel Arteta saw us come back from a goal down to progress to the next round.

After Saturday's shock defeat to QPR it was vital that we responded with a cup victory and a strong team was named for the clash, which was played out in front of just 17,173 spectators. That total was the lowest for a competitive match at Goodison for over 12 years - and a clear sign of unrest amongst Evertonians following a frustrating Summer.

Jan Mucha was granted his third competitive start in Everton colours whilst John Heitinga and Tony Hibbert replaced Sylvain Distin and Phil Neville in the other changes to the back five from the loss to QPR.

To fans' frustration, the midfield consisted of five players, but it was an attacking and creative one. Marouane Fellaini and Jack Rodwell sat a little deeper with the exciting trio of Mikel Arteta, Leon Osman and Ross Barkley charged with creating opportunities for lone striker Victor Anichebe.

Tim Howard, Phil Neville, Louis Saha and Sylvain Distin started on the bench alongside a trio of youngsters; Apostolos Vellios, James Wallace and Jose Baxter.

Everton enjoyed much the better of the opening exchanges but fell behind on 28 minutes when Richard Cresswell, like Tommy Smith had done for QPR, finished smartly after poor defending by Everton.

Cresswell found himself on the scoresheet once again just minutes later, but unfortunately for him he had registered an own goal. Jack Rodwell's effort from a tight angle was parried by Steve Simonsen onto the despairing Cresswell, who could only watch as the ball crossed the line and allowed Evertonians to breath a sigh of relief.

Everton assumed their early dominance and registered two quick-fire goals that ultimately put the game beyond doubt. Victor Anichebe applied a neat flick to Ross Barkley's cross-cum-shot to give Everton the lead and five minutes later Mikel Arteta classily swept home from the edge of the area after Barkley had been tackled.

The tempo slowed in the second period with the home side happy to sit on the two-goal cushion. Ross Barkley went closest to widening the lead with a long-range strike well saved by Simonsen before he was withdrawn to a standing ovation.

It ended 3-1 and we are comfortably though to Saturday's third round draw. Plenty of positives to take from the night - not least the first ninety minutes played by Marouane Fellaini since February.

Barkley (again) showed us a glimpse of what could be a very bright future, Tony Hibbert put in an impressive performance on his 250th Everton start and Mikel Arteta gave us hope that he can return to his scintillating best.

StickyToffee Player Ratings: Mucha 6, Hibbert 8, Jagielka 6, Heitinga 6, Baines 6, Rodwell 6, Fellaini 6, Arteta 7, Osman 6, Barkley 7, Anichebe 6.

Subs: Saha 5, Baxter 4, Neville 4.

Everton Reserves 0-2 Fulham Reserves

An Everton reserve side including Nigerian pair Yakubu and Joseph Yobo lost 0-2 to Fulham in their second league fixture this afternoon.

Yobo and Yakubu were both included in the starting line-up for the behind-closed-doors league fixture at Finch Farm, despite the former reported to be on the verge of signing for Turkish giants Fenerbahce.

The full Everton side was: Davies; Garbutt, Yobo, Duffy, Browning; Forshaw, Wallace, Baxter, Orenuga; Yakubu, Vellios.

Alexander Brister gave the Cottagers the lead five minutes into the second half and Courtney Harris grabbed the second shortly afterwards.

Everton failed to recover from the two quickfire goals and the match finished 0-2.

Everton Reserves: Davies, Browning (Mustafi 56), Garbutt, Duffy, Yobo, Orenuga, Baxter, Wallace, Forshaw, Vellios, Yakubu.

Fulham Reserves: Bettinelli, Passley, Smith, Arthurworrey (Dean 73), Burn, Pritchard, Brister, Harris, Donegan (Minkwitz 64), Frei, Kacaniklic.

Goals: Brister 50, Harris 55.

West Brom Reserves 2-2 Everton Reserves

Two Everton goals in the space of as many minutes earned Everton reserves a point against West Bromwich Albion in the first game of the new campaign.

Conor McAleny and Yakubu scored Everton's goals in the 73rd and 75th minutes respectively to salvage Everton a point after efforts from West Brom's James Hurst and Saido Berahino had left the visitors 2-0 down.

Goalscorer Yakubu and fellow Nigerian Joseph Yobo were the most experienced names on the Everton teamsheet, and both played the full game in the behind-closed-doors fixture.

In the opening exchanges both James Wallace and Conor McAleny had efforts saved, but the Blues fell behind on 38 minutes to a James Hurst volley.

Despite suffering that setback Everton continued to attack and further chances fell to Yakubu and Femi Orenuga, whilst Yobo went close from a free-kick.

Youngster Berahino doubled the Baggies' advantage with a 68th minute tap-in, but Everton again responded well and were rewarded shortly afterwards.

A left-wing cross from Jake Bidwell was headed home by McAleny and just two minutes later the Blues were level as Yakubu's neat finish rescued a deserved point.

West Bromwich Albion: Fulop; Jones, McAuley, Ibanez (Downing 45), Mattock (Gayle 72); Hurst (Edge 85), Thorne, Mantom, O'Neil; Sawyers, Berahino. Subs not used: Daniels, Goldsmith.

Everton: Davies; Browning, Yobo, Mustafi, Bidwell; Orenuga, Wallace, Baxter, Forshaw; McAleny, Yakubu. Subs not used: Roberts, Duffy, Nsiala, Forrester, Higgins.

International Round-Up: 11th August

Two Evertonians were in international action in the early hours of Thursday morning, here's a round-up of how they fared.

We'll start across the pond where Jurgen Klinsmann's first game in charge of the USA ended in a 1-1 draw with neighbours Mexico.

As usual Tim Howard kept goal for the Americans, who fell behind on 16 minutes to an Oribe Peralta goal. The USA responded well and equalised with 15 minutes to go through Robbie Rogers to earn a 1-1 draw.

Now from North America to South America, where James Wallace's England crashed out of the U20 World Cup in Colombia. England, who advanced through the group stage without scori a goal, came up against a Nigerian side whose group stage performances had made them one of the tournament favourites.

Wallace started on the England bench but was introduced just 22 minutes into the game following an injury to Reece Wabara.The Everton man put in a good shift in central midfield but England paid the price for failing to score again as they lost to a 52nd minute Edafe Egbedi goal.

Wallace's England Held To Draw

England drew 0-0 with Argentina at the U20 World Cup in Colombia last night. Everton's James Wallace came on as a 31st minute substitute after an injury suffered by Nathan Baker.

In front of over 40,000 spectators, Wallace and England put in an assured performance against some of South America's most promising young talent.

England had chances aplenty and had the ball in the net - only for Billy Knott's effort to be ruled offside. Erik Lamela went close for the Argentines but the game ended goalless.

It was the second 0-0 for England at the World Cup and the young Lions will now have to beat Mexico on Thursday to progress.

Wallace In U20 World Cup Squad

Everton youngster James Wallace has been named in the England squad that will fly out to Colombia later this month for the U-20 World Cup. Although the midfielder was not included in the original 21-man-squad, he has been instated following the withdrawal of Tottenham's Ryan Thorne.

Wallace, 19, has just one senior Everton appearance to his name, but played 14 times for Stockport County in a loan stint last season, scoring one goal. His impression on the Edgeley Park club was so great that he was made captain for the final few games of the season, but he couldn't save the Hatters from relegation.

The England players have been drawn in a tough-looking group alongside North Korea, Argentina and Mexico.

Everton Enjoy Austrian Training

Everton have kicked off preparations for the upcoming season by holding a pre-season training camp in the Austrian village of Obertraun. The first team squad, along with the reserve and academy players, flew out on Tuesday evening.

The travelling party included Yakubu, who returned to training with Everton after his loan spell at Leicester City, but Everton's international stars Tim Howard, Seamus Coleman, Leighton Baines, John Heitinga and Phil Jagielka have all been granted extra time off after their Summer exploits.

Wednesday's training consisted of three gruelling sessions to re-build the squad's core fitness after the Summer break. In between the dreaded fitness periods David Moyes led his players into a river for a chance to cool down and Tim Cahill even took a break from tweeting to instigate a water fight with Jose Baxter (above).

On Thursday the squad took a cable car trip to the summit of the Austrian Alps, with plenty of the players taking to Twitter to share their mountainous snaps:

Jose Baxter enjoying scenery a little different to Liverpool

Youngster James Wallace in Austria

Distin tweeted: "First time felli see the snow ha ha"

Aussie Tim Cahill posted this snap of the whole group - spot Fellaini!

Train hard lads, it will be worth it.

McAleny Latest to Sign New Contract

18 year-old forward Conor McAleny has today put pen to paper and signed a professional deal with Everton.

The youngster is the latest to be awarded a new contract, after Adam Forshaw, James Wallace, Aristote Nsiala, John Lundstram and Tyias Browning all signed new deals in recent weeks.

McAleny joined Everton at the age of 11 and in 2008 the pacy striker became a full-time scholar. He was named as a substitute for the home fixture against Aston Villa last season due to a lengthy first-team injury list, but is yet to make his senior Everton debut. He also played a large role in helping the Everton under-18 side to win the national league title back in May.

The deal is a one-year extension and so will keep McAleny at Everton until June 2012. He told evertonfc.com "I'm buzzing to have signed a new contract, I just need to get my head down this season and hopefully I'll be rewarded with getting on the bench or maybe even getting on the pitch.

"I was on the bench last season which was a great experience and I learnt a lot from those two games. I've picked up loads this season and it's really helped me to progress.

"Stubbsy (Alan Stubbs, reserve team coach) has been great and so has Taff (Andy Holden, reserve team manager), they were both defenders so they can help me with what defenders don't like."

Teenager Forshaw signs new deal with Everton

Following last month's news that teenagers James Wallace and Aristote Nsiala have signed new contracts with Everton, midfielder Adam Forshaw has also penned a new deal. The winger made his debut towards the latter end of last season in the 3-0 win over Wolves after some impressive performances for the reserves that included a wonder-goal against Liverpool.

On signing the new deal, Forshaw told evertonfc.com "I just want to keep improving, play every game for the reserves and hopefully start making the first team squad a bit more often.

"From there you can maybe get on the pitch a bit more, pick up those bits and pieces and keep pushing on. You don't just burst on through, it is not like that, but if you keep working at it and playing for the reserves then you can do it gradually.

"Getting on at Molineux was a great feeling. It is what you work every day for. I was a bit nervous but once I got out there and had my first touch I really enjoyed it.

"We had a lot of injuries around that time so I had an idea I might be on the bench, but to actually get on was fantastic. Also, later in the season when all the players were back it was pleasing to stay on the bench for games like Chelsea at home."

The 19-year-old was hampered by injury at the start of last season and admitted that he was unsure over his future.

"Things were uncertain. I had an injury and things did not start so well for me. Towards the end of the season I played more games and scored some goals but I still wasn't quite sure which way it would go and I am obviously over the moon to be signing.

"I have been here since I was eight and every year has been better and better. The Club is everything and is all I have known since that age.

"At the start of last season I wasn't getting a regular game for the reserves. I knew within myself that I wasn't doing well enough and made an effort to change that.

"Thankfully the second half of the season was brilliant with me playing all the time for the reserves and making a few first team squads. That was fantastic for my confidence and it gives you the belief you can keep getting better.

"I am really made up to sign – to get that bit of security again – and it is another chance for me to show what I can do."

Lundstram & Browning sign pro deals

Academy starlets John Lundstram (above left) and Tyias Browning (above right) have signed their first professional contracts after turning 17. Browning, who has represented England at U-17 level, is a right back who can also operate at centre-half. Lundstram is an exciting central midfielder who has also represented England U-17s.

Last season both players played a huge part in helping Everton to win the national Academy league and have both also featured for the reserve side.

Earlier this week, James Wallace and Aristote Nsiala also signed new contracts with the club. The future's bright, the future's blue...

Nsiala next to sign new contract

Earlier today I brought you the news that James Wallace had signed a new one-year contract with Everton, and the club have this afternoon announced that defender Aristote Nsiala has also been rewarded with a new deal.

Like Wallace, centre-half Nsiala spent time on loan in League Two last year - with Stockport's neighbours Macclesfield Town. The 19-year-old has not featured for Everton but has found himself on the bench during injury-hit periods of the season just gone.

On signing, Nsiala said: "I am happy, and dead excited - I'm happy that I've been given another challenge. Getting on the bench and scoring while on loan have been ups for me this season and I am looking forward to next season.

Wallace signs new Everton deal

Everton have today rewarded youngster James Wallace with a new contract. The attacking midfielder, who made his only senior appearance in the 1-1 Europa League tie with Sigma Olomouc in August 2009, has committed to the club for another season.

He spent three months at the end of last season on loan at Stockport County, but his impressive performances at Edgeley Park were not enough as the Hatters were relegated from the football league.

The 19-year-old was born in Liverpool but represented Ireland up to U-16 level, when it was found out that he was in fact ineligible to represent the Irish. Since, he has played for England U-19s.

On signing the contract, he told Everton's official website "I am delighted to sign a new deal at the club. I am made up it is sorted and I am just looking forward to pre-season."

Loan Watch

Within no fewer than eight of our squad scattered around the continent on various loan deals, I thought I would check on their progress at the temporary clubs.

Joseph Yobo moved to Turkish giants Fenerbahce in August 2010 on a season-long loan deal. He made his debut in the Turkish Super Lig in a 2-0 defeat, a game in which he had to go off injured. However, he has recovered to play in 21 of the 28 games so far this season, in the process helping his adopted side to the summit of the league. The most recent fixture (9th April) was a 3-1 away win at Eskisehirspor and Joey played the full 90 minutes.

Joseph Yobo has become a key player for Fenerbahce

Iain Turner signed for Preston North End in February 2011, on a 93-day emergency loan. He has replaced Andy Lonergan as PNE's number one, and his arrival has coincided with some good Preston form, demonstrated in consecutive wins against Scunthorpe, Coventry and Swansea. However, the form seems to have come a little too late in the season and Phil Brown's team are languishing 23rd in the Championship, with only six games left to try and avoid relegation. He was in goal for the most recent fixture (9th April), a 1-1 away draw at Portsmouth.

Iain Turner's Preston are relegation favourites

James Vaughan joined Crystal Palace in January, the latest move in a series of loan spells (Derby, Leicester and a previous spell at Palace). In all he has scored nine goals for the Eagles, including a hat-trick vs Portsmouth, and has become a key player in a team fighting to beat relegation. He scored the winning penalty in the club's last win, vs Barnsley, but couldn't help as Palace slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Ipswich (9th April).

Vaughan scores 1/3 of his hat-trick against Pompey

Yakubu was also shipped out to a Championship club in January, heading to Filbert Street to play for Leicester City. He has made thirteen appearances for the Foxes, scoring seven goals which included a recent hat-trick against old club Middlesbrough. He is a 'Wolves player' in my opinion: too good for the Championship but not good enough/ too lazy for the Premier League. Managed by Sven, Leicester have drafted in a host of marquee loanees and lie ninth in the table, five points off the play-offs. This weekend they recorded a 4-0 win over Burnley with Yak playing the whole match.

The Yak scored on his debut vs Preston

Joao Silva, signed in June 2009, was sent back to the Portuguese first division for some regular games. He joined a side called U.D. Leiria. Joao scored in his club's last match against Maritimo, but couldn't prevent a 1-3 defeat. He is likely to figure in their next match away to Setubal (10th April, 16:00). U.D are currently 10th in the 16-team Portuguese league.

Joao looks the part in an U.D. Leiria shirt

Shane Duffy joined Burnley at the end of March on a 28-day loan. He played 90 minutes against Ipswich, a game which Burnley lost 2-1, but has not played since. Burnley have slipped in recent weeks, and now lie 11th in the Championship table.

Shane has only made one appearance for the clarets

Kieran Agard joined Kilmarnock on January deadline day in a loan deal that went almost unacknowledged. He has indeed only made two substitute appearances for Kilmarnock and hasn't even featured on the bench for the last two games.

Agard has gone from bench warmer at Everton to bench-warmer at Killie

James Wallace joined League 2 strugglers Stockport County in February and made an immediate impact, scoring a wondergoal on his debut, although his side lost 1-4. He has played nine times for Stockport who unfortunately are rock bottom of League Two and look likely to be playing the likes of Newport County and Kettering Town in the Blue Square Premier next year.

Wallace has been a shining light in Stockport's woeful campaign