Gibson absent for U23s – Could he make his first-team debut against Lincoln?

Everton claimed two points over Mansfield Town in their first EFL Trophy game of the new season yesterday.

The young Toffees drew 1-1 with The Stags at Field Mill last night, where the Blues picked up their first point. Everton then won the subsequent penalty shootout, taking home a bonus point and putting them top of their group for the time being.

Anthony Gordon impressed for David Unsworth’s side, but talented defender Lewis Gibson was absent, sparking speculation that he could feature for Everton’s first-team tonight against Lincoln City.

Could the £6million rated centre-back make his debut for the club against the Imps?

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Gibson, alongside his U23 defensive partner Morgan Feeney, have trained with Marco Silva’s first-team on a number of occasions already this season, and it seems the former Newcastle man has jumped to the head of the queue in regards to players close to making the step-up.

Everton take on Lincoln at Sincil Bank and Silva is expected to make changes to his team, with the club set to face Wolves at Goodison Park on Sunday.

It may come too soon for Gibson in the sense that Silva will not likely make wholesale changes, and if one defender is to come into the line-up, it will likely be Mason Holgate who has yet to feature so far this season.

Gibson could be involved in the match-day squad though, which would still provide valuable experience to the young defender, who continues to impress for Everton’s youth side.