Everton U18s head coach Paul Tait has shed more light on why Francis Okoronkwo has yet to make his full debut for the Everton teams since joining the club from Sunderland in September 2021.
The Anglo-Nigerian striker is being gradually introduced into the Toffees fold after recovering from an undisclosed ailment.
After Everton announced his signing, he missed six consecutive games played by the U18s in all competitions and has not been involved in thirteen matches played by the development squad in the EFL Trophy, Premier League 2 and Premier League Cup.
In what was his second appearance for the Toffees, Okoronkwo put in a man-of-the-match performance as Everton thrashed Manchester United 3-0 in the U18 Premier League, coming of the bench to directly participate in two goals.
"Frankie has been injured since joining the Club and we’re just starting to get him up to match speed now," Tait explained to Everton's official website.
"He came off the bench last week for 20 minutes [in a 2-2 draw with Arsenal] – we upped that today and he came on and got his goal."
"He came off the bench last week for 20 minutes [in a 2-2 draw with Arsenal] – we upped that today and he came on and got his goal."
The 17-year-old Okoronkwo was on the books of Sunderland for approximately five years before moving to Merseyside.
Igho Kingsley
Photo Credit : evertonfc.com
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