Everton stars of future on show

The game is part of the transfer deal which saw promising teenager Shayne Lavery join the Toffees earlier this year. The 16-year-old St. Michael’s Grammar pupil scored four goals on his trial in March to earn a two year scholarship contract with the Premier League side.

The game with Unsworth’s best young talent at Goodison is another ideal game for Glenavon in their high profile pre-season programme.

“We have had a great pre-season as far in terms of quality opposition,” says manager Gary Hamilton.

“We have had TNS, St. Johnstone and two Europa League games and now a game with Everton Under 21s.

“Everton are well known for nurturing, developing and bringing players through the system and this is a great game for us and a chance to see of the young talent that may be the Premiership stars of tomorrow.”

Six of the players involved with the Under 21s last season are among those included in Everton’s squad currently in the Far East, while Ryan Ledson was also called up this week in the absence of the injured Muhamed Besic.

Dublin-born Sam Byrne will be in familiar surroundings as Unsworth’s side spend the week training in Dublin before Wednesday’s game against Bohemians and then Glenavon.

Everton Under 21s tour squad: Hewelt, Griffiths, Jones, Junior, Brewster, Dyson, Henen, Grant, Walsh, Bainbridge, Davies, Dowell, Charsley, Byrne, Graham, Donohue, Hurst, Evans, Thorniley, Yates, Connolly.