Feeney and Gibson could both leave on loan in January

Everton could be set to allow young defensive duo Morgan Feeney and Lewis Gibson leave the club on loan in January, according to the Liverpool Echo.

Both centre-backs have featured frequently for David Unsworth’s Under-23s this season, but they haven’t been able to find their way into Marco Silva’s first-team set-up at Goodison Park.

Gibson is generally regarded as the club’s fourth choice centre-back behind Michael Keane, Yerry Mina and Mason Holgate this season, although he hasn’t yet made the bench in a match-day squad, despite training often with the first-team.

With Gibson’s contract up at the end of the season, Everton would likely tie him down to a new deal before allowing him to leave on loan.

Feeney meanwhile has captained the Under-23s, and although he has starred for Unsworth’s side, he has yet to be given a chance in the first-team outside of pre-season.

While Unsworth would happily keep the duo on Merseyside, he admitted he would recommend either of them to any club looking for a loan defender, saying to the Liverpool Echo:

I have to say they have both been fantastic for me. They are both great players at this level and both leaders.

They are both terrific lads and I have all the time in the world for them.

Whatever happens in January with both of them, I don’t know. That’s up to Marco [Silva] and Marcel [Brands].

That’s not my decision. That would be Marcel’s decision. But if any manager phones me they’ll only hear good things.

Read Everton Verdict

I definitely think that a loan deal would do either of these two defenders good, so long as Everton have the necessary cover.

Gibson will need a new contract before he leaves, and both should only be let go once the Blues have found a new first-team defender in the January transfer market.

Hopefully they can learn and develop from their experiences, and come back ready to impress.