‘Ready’: Leeds loanee now praised by new manager after making his full debut

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Sean Dyche has praised Leeds United loanee Jack Harrison for his performance on his full Everton debut.

Dyche was speaking to Liverpool Echo after Everton’s 2-1 win at Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup third round, in which Harrison was making his first appearance.

Harrison has been out of action since the final day of last season, when he scored in a 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur as Leeds’ relegation to the Premier League was confirmed.

The 26-year-old played for Everton’s U21s on Friday but this was his first taste of first team football since May, and he lasted 65 minutes on the right-hand-side of a front three.

Everton fans have had to wait patiently to get their first glimpse of Harrison in action, having moved to Goodison Park well over a month ago.

Dyche praises Leeds loanee Harrison’s debut

Speaking after the game, Dyche spoke of how sharp Harrison looked considering the length of time he has been out, while also praising his ‘professionalism’.

He said: “I must say I think Jack Harrison has done fantastically well, he has only just had that game the other night with the development side and he said he felt fine, he said he was ready, and I believed him. He looked ready, he was training freely. But to come in and play at this level with hardly any return to real football is very, very pleasing for me as a manager and him as a player.

“He is still getting fitter and sharper but it is not easy to come into these games and adapt tactically to deliver a performance. I was very impressed with him and his general professionalism.”

Everton do not have an option-to-buy Harrison at the end of his loan spell but as per David Ornstein, they will look to make it permanent in due course.

If Everton can stave clear of relegation and Harrison builds on his debut performance, it feels like only a matter of time before they look to reach an agreement with Leeds.