Everton are preparing to recall Harrison Armstrong from his Preston loan.
Armstrong joined the Championship outfit for a season-long spell and has caught the eye during his time at Deepdale with a series of impressive performances.
The Blues have an option to trigger a clause in the midfielder’s temporary spell to bring him back to his parent club before the end of the current campaign.
David Moyes previously hinted that he would consider bringing Armstrong back to Hill Dickinson Stadium in January due to a dearth of options in his squad.
That situation worsened has since worsened with Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye currently at the Africa Cup of Nations while five players are sidelined by injury.
Talks are now underway with Paul Heckingbottom’s side over curtailing the 18-year-old’s stay in Lancashire in order to supplement to Everton’s first team ranks.
After Tuesday’s win over Nottingham Forest, Moyes admitted that the prospect of Armstrong being involved in his squad early in the New Year is a growing possibility.
He said: “More than likely, we will bring Harrison Armstrong back.”