Harrison Armstrong's Preston Loan cut short by recall

Michael Kenrick47comments | Jump to last

With Everton's squad massively depleted, David Moyes has acted quickly to bring back Harrison Armstrong from his loan spell with Preston North End.

The 18-year-old midfielder has had a good half-season at Deepdale, making 17 appearances in the Championship for since he joined the Lilywhites on transfer deadline day in the summer. He should now be available for selection to David Moyes's heavily depleted squad for Sunday's Premier League game with Brentford at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

After joining Everton’s Academy aged 5, Armstrong worked his way up through the age groups and made his senior debut against Tottenham Hotspur in August 2024. He was well-liked by the Rams in his first loan spell with Derby County last season, playing a key role in helping them avoid relegation from the Championship.

Armstrong is a central midfielder who has developed a reputation as a highly composed and physically imposing "modern" Number 8. Standing at 185 cm (6'-1"), he possesses a blend of technical security and defensive grit that has made him a standout during his loan spells.

While he is versatile enough to play as a defensive midfielder or even in a more advanced attacking midfield role, he shows great potential as a deep-lying box-to-box playmaker. It appears likely that his main competition when it comes to getting playing time under David Moyes will be Merlin Rohl.

Reader Comments (47)

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Michael Kenrick 1 Posted 01/01/2026 at 10:23:20

See if he actually gets used... or just sits warming the bench.

Coz, you know the problem: He's not ready for the Premier League.

Dave Abrahams 2 Posted 01/01/2026 at 10:29:47

I certainly hope he gets used but not at the expense of Garner going to full back.

Is it possible he can go back to Preston this season when our depleted squad is strengthened?

Jimmy Carr 3 Posted 01/01/2026 at 10:36:32

Michael (1) so you don't trust Moyes' footballing judgement?

The facts of our performance under his leadership, 59 points from 38 games and currently 8th in the table, suggests to me he knows exactly what he's doing.

So tell me where you think it's gone wrong exactly?

John Williams 4 Posted 01/01/2026 at 10:37:13

Football today is a squad game and you can only have eleven players on the pitch at any time.

Armstrong is 18 years old and he is not a Wayne Rooney, not played all the games for Preston (he was subbed in the last game).

He will be an option, something we don't have at present, I just hope it doesn't signal, no new players coming in January.

Barry McNally 5 Posted 01/01/2026 at 10:48:48

Dave 2, I don't see why he couldn't go back to PNE before the window slams shut - he can't go to a third club as Everton used him earlier in the season.

Tony Abrahams 6 Posted 01/01/2026 at 10:51:58

I'm sure I've read that Harrison Armstrong can be recalled for one month and go back to Preston before the window shuts (I might be wrong), which if true has probably made the decision to recall him a lot easier.

I keep going on about squad rotation, something I do because August to May is a very long time. I wouldn't even be too critical if Armstrong never played that much because he's an 18-year-old kid performing very well in the Championship. But it's a very long season, especially for players so young, and the physical demands are incredible.

Barry McNally 7 Posted 01/01/2026 at 11:00:34

Tony, it will be a nice mid-season break for him!

Brian Harrison 8 Posted 01/01/2026 at 11:01:34

I think Moyes was reluctant to cut short Harrison Armstrong's loan as he was a regular for Preston and getting good experience.

Moyes wouldn't tell the press what injuries Keane and Alcaraz had to keep them out of the squad for the Forest game, so maybe the injury to Alcaraz and the fact that Senegal have progressed to the next round of the Afcon made him recall Armstrong.

I could well expect, if we had a couple of injuries to midfield and Moyes hadn't recalled Armstrong, there would be plenty of posters on here giving him stick.

Tony Abrahams 9 Posted 01/01/2026 at 11:08:18

It could go one of a few ways, Barry, but that's exactly what I was alluding to, mate!

Annika Herbert 10 Posted 01/01/2026 at 11:33:34

Jimmy @ 3, you only need to look at Moyes record in his previous stint to know what Michael is getting at.

The infamous glass ceiling etc. Personally I think he has done reasonably well since he returned. But leopards never change their spots.

He will always be a safety-first manager. Before anyone leaps in to remind me of all the Top 10 finishes achieved under Moyes first time around. Not impressed.

James Marshall 12 Posted 01/01/2026 at 12:01:04

This was bound to happen, wasn't it?

We need numbers and signings are going to be very thin on the ground, so this is in itself, like a new signing!

Neil Thomas 13 Posted 01/01/2026 at 12:35:38

Annika not impressed? Really?

Not sure what you expected, but I certainly didn't expect us to still be in the Premier League this time last year.

Anthony Dwyer 14 Posted 01/01/2026 at 12:48:17

Easy decision imo, needed bodies back, won't see the Africans for a month, 6 games available to play between now and 31 January.

Worst case: Armstrong could easily play 200+ valuable minutes before going back to Preston.

Ian Bennett 15 Posted 01/01/2026 at 13:23:17

The comments on Moyes's first time are irrelevant. I am more interested in what he is doing now.

Frank, Iraola, Glasner, Hurzeler, Silva, Howe, are all below us. So he must be doing something right,

Clive Rogers 16 Posted 01/01/2026 at 13:31:15

Anthony, 14, the Afcon Final is on 18 January.

Four games missed for anyone who gets to the final.

Steve Brown 18 Posted 01/01/2026 at 13:39:44

When Dibling made his first start for Everton in October, it ended a run of 185 Premier League matches for David Moyes without naming a teenager in his starting XI.

Therefore, expect Armstrong to enjoy good development time on the bench when he is recalled.

Mike Powell 19 Posted 01/01/2026 at 13:51:00

Moyes is doing a great job, considering all the players who are out. He needed to call Armstrong back for cover.

If we get any more injuries, then we will be promoting some of the Everton Ladies to the first team. Look where we are in the Premier League with the squad we have.

He is doing a fine job. Yes, he has not been perfect.... but he is doing a good job.

Raymond Fox 20 Posted 01/01/2026 at 13:59:42

As Mike has just said, he will be cover in case we have more injuries.

I don't think he is good enough yet. With no experience in the Premier League, he will be warming the bench.

Derek Taylor 21 Posted 01/01/2026 at 14:18:23

Re Moyes doubters and sly diggers, you have to accept that ToffeeWeb has always been a home for those who gloried in the manager merry-go-round that was favoured by the previous owners.

'Guess the next man in' kept discussion lively but, as with all clubs favouring that short-termism, it hardly brought consistent success.

Personally, I've always found Davey reliable and consistent although, perhaps, a little predictable. Whatever the future holds, he has been outstanding in his second 'reign' so far and those demanding higher placing than the present 8th are just downright unrealistic.

Bill Gall 22 Posted 01/01/2026 at 14:24:45

I agree with other supporters after watching that display against Forest. The midfield we had played good but we lacked coverage if one got injured.

Armstrong will be used on the bench in case of injuries. It's just the manager being overly cautious, and we would complain if we had no one if that happened.

Minik Hansen 23 Posted 01/01/2026 at 14:55:08

Currently available in central midfield: Alcarz, Röhl, Garner, Iroegbunam, and now Armstrong. That is 4 to 5 available central midfielders, depending how you look at the right-back spot.

When we get Dewsbury-Hall back, that is 5-6 available already...

I guess at the moment the fear is two additional injuries for central midfielders or not enough quality? Well, at least Armstrong knows the squad.

If it's lack of cover, I hope we get that one from Roma or someone else to play upfront, because that's more crucial than the middle of the park.

Christy Ring 24 Posted 01/01/2026 at 14:57:13

Armstrong is only 18 but even in preseason with us, he was the standout player, and playing in the Championship for the last 4+ months will definitely stand to him. He's good enough to come off the bench.

Any word on the extent of Ndiaye's injury, Michael?

Nicolas Piñon 25 Posted 01/01/2026 at 14:57:21

Nice move!

We keep fighting...

Mike Gaynes 26 Posted 01/01/2026 at 15:01:06

Tony #6, that's what I've read as well, although the implication was that it would be an entirely new loan agreement to send him back.

And I do hope he goes back rather than getting half a season of 10-minute appearances off the bench with us. What a playoff run in the Championship would do for him!

Brian #8, yes and we still also have no information on the extent of Ndiaye's injury. Senegal has said nothing.

Derek #21, your last paragraph sums it up for me.

Eric Myles 27 Posted 01/01/2026 at 15:45:16

Annika #10,

"Before anyone leaps in to remind me of all the Top 10 finishes achieved under Moyes first time around. Not impressed."

You were not impressed with the 4th, 5th, 6th and Magnificent 7th place finishes that got us into European competitions? Tough crowd!

As for Armstrong, well Moyes doesn't play youngsters so no point in bringing him back anyway.

Sean Mitchell 28 Posted 01/01/2026 at 16:43:08

I know it happens to all clubs. But it's tiring and boring constantly having endless injury problems. Always seems to be us.

January additions are a must.

Dave Abrahams 29 Posted 01/01/2026 at 17:22:54

John (4),

Armstrong is 19 in just over a fortnight, we paid £40M for a 19-year-old last summer, he's no Wayne Rooney, hardly anyone was a Wayne Rooney in English football since the Second World War and not many before it.

We might only have him for a month, let's see how he is used, we had to use a £300k-a-week unfit player the other night because of the shortage in the squad that's how desperate we are.

He might not get used but the rest will benefit him in a very long season, as another poster pointed out earlier in the thread.

Lewis Barclay 30 Posted 01/01/2026 at 17:29:08

The two halves of football I've seen Armstrong play, suggested to me that he shouldn't be on the bench, he should be starting games.

Does this mean Garner is off in January?

Darren Hind 31 Posted 01/01/2026 at 18:01:52

If we don't bring him back and we get a couple more injuries, there will be an outcry heard all the way over in Preston.

Meantime, I'd like to wish all blues a very happy new year.

Hope you're all singing "We shall not be moved" all the way to Wembley!

Tom Bowers 32 Posted 01/01/2026 at 18:47:38

This is a good move as he has a lot of talent which helps making the squad stronger even after the Afcon is over.

Everton finished the year on a good note and, despite the fact the games were against Burnley and Forest, they played some good stuff and kept clean sheets.

Garner has been terrific lately after looking ordinary early on and with a lot of input from the ''benchwarmers'' to be pleased about, the return of Armstrong will serve as a big bonus.

Let's hope they start the year with a good performance against Brentford.

Ian Wilkins 33 Posted 01/01/2026 at 19:47:38

It's one of those damned if you do, damned if you don't.

We are desperately short on numbers, at least for a few weeks. We need some cover. He's match fit. Makes sense.

I don't know whether it's an option for him to return to Preston at the end of January when we hopefully have a few back. That would make sense for all too.

Derek Thomas 34 Posted 01/01/2026 at 20:57:47

Rohl finally got a start, did okay too. If Armstrong has a similar debut, it will be a good start.

If he doesn't get a decent run, then it's just an arse-covering exercise.

He's doing well on a regular basis in a decent league - it's like a new signing and could be our only one.

Over to you, Moyes.

Brendan McLaughlin 35 Posted 01/01/2026 at 21:16:36

Ok feck.

He's only just been recalled and Moyes is already getting grief about not playing him.

Paul Kernot 36 Posted 01/01/2026 at 21:19:47

I just read an article focused on 3 potential one-game suspensions during the Forest game. Tarkowsi, Garner and and our one and only experienced left-back were all on 4 bookings (now up to 10 bookings for the rest of the season before suspension).

If, for example, Garner had got booked or injured, we're screwed. No wonder Armstrong was recalled. My point being that the decision wasn't so simple.

Jimmy Carr 37 Posted 01/01/2026 at 21:41:39

Annika (10), strange post. Not impressed with top ten finishes? So what would impress you? A relegation fight?

Glass ceilings? I was talking about Moyes's footballing judgement, not sure what point you're making.

Tony Abrahams 38 Posted 01/01/2026 at 21:54:04

Watching Sunderland, running hard and fighting for their lives against Manchester City.

It's hard to believe they have got six players out of their squad at the Afcon.

Mike Gaynes 39 Posted 01/01/2026 at 21:57:14

More than 12 hours already and no new signings.

What's wrong with this "crack" recruitment team?

Rob Jones 40 Posted 01/01/2026 at 21:58:40

Weird. I thought Moyes's job was to win games and get as many points as possible for a limited Everton team who have barely spent money, until last summer, in 5 years.

I didn't realise that his job performance was based so much on playing teenagers.

Nicolas Piñon 41 Posted 01/01/2026 at 00:00:19

Win on Sunday and we will possibly be 4th given the fixtures the above have.

Mark Wynne 42 Posted 02/01/2026 at 00:03:46

Can he play in goal? Our bench can never have too many goalkeepers.

He'll fall victim to Moyes and his Premier League experience hang up, so is unlikely to ever feature.

Sean Kearns 43 Posted 02/01/2026 at 00:38:22

When is Jarrad Branthwaite back? And does he get back in the team?…

I thought Jake O'Brien was immense at centre-back last time out.

Eric Myles 44 Posted 02/01/2026 at 08:13:51

Rob #40, Moyes KPIs set by the owners may not be affected by his putting teenagers on the bench, but his TW KPIs are!

At least he scored some points on that account in the last game.

Mark Wynne 45 Posted 02/01/2026 at 09:04:52

Sean #43 I’ve said this since before the season started. As soon as he’s fit, he’s sold. I doubt we’ll see Branthwaite in an Everton shirt again.

Dave Abrahams 46 Posted 02/01/2026 at 09:40:09

Mark (45) I doubt he’ll be bought in a hurry— I want him to stay but he’ll have to prove his fitness to everyone before the cheque books come out.

Andy Meighan 47 Posted 02/01/2026 at 11:56:41

Jmmy 37.

I honestly get the feeling that there's quite a few on here that would have Dyche back in a heartbeat.

It's absolutely laughable that we are 4 pts off a champs lge spot, when we were a point off the bottom 3 this time last year.

Then again maybe some of our fan base might prefer to be in a relegation battle, sorry but that's not for me.

Mark my word it won't be long before Forest fans are calling for the messiah to go.

Ian Wilkins 48 Posted 02/01/2026 at 11:58:22

I don’t think anybody will want to pay big bucks for Branthwaite until he’s proved his fitness. He’s been out a long time. Will he be the same player..

If he gets back to full fitness, then I hope we can keep him, we should be keeping and building round our best players. Not selling. These days much depends on the player, even when they are under contract.

The addition of a long overdue right back would bring competition for the centre back berths, with the longer term future looking like O’Brien and Branthwaite maybe….

Raymond Fox 49 Posted 02/01/2026 at 12:38:35

Iam @ 48, I think you spot on when you say Branthwaites value must have dropped.

If a club offered £50m + I would sell him, its a shame but it looks a very risky gamble to refuse a good offer now.

The club will know a lot more than we do though, they will have had all sorts of tests on him.