Everton midfielder shows what first team is missing as exciting prospects emerge

Those who have been keeping tabs on Everton's youth sides so far this season will have been able to witness a lot of exciting development taking place.

The under-23s, led by David Unsworth, have found success in a new 5-3-2 system and are now unbeaten in their last seven matches in all competitions.

Meanwhile the under-18s, managed by Paul Tait are into the the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup - and have a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United to look forward to at the beginning of February.

Within those squads, there's an exciting crop of talent that Evertonians are seeing develop before their eyes.

Of course there's those who find themselves on the cusp of the first team right now - such as Jarrad Branthwaite, Ellis Simms and Lewis Dobbin for example.

They all played in Monday evening's 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, with the latter's header proving the difference between the sides which in turn kept a very interesting conversation going about his long-term future.

He's out-of-contract in the summer, and tying him down to a new deal should be a priority for the Blues as the forward continues to show his quality.

The other two are considered first-team stars now, with Branthwaite particularly having his eyes on the senior side having seen others in his position struggle for form. For Simms, it will be interesting to see if a loan move materialises at the end of the transfer window.

Centre-back seems to be a very strong area for the under-23s particularly at the minute with all of Reece Welch, Elijah Campbell and Ryan Astley hugely impressing over the course of the campaign.

The latter could be another player with the potential of a loan move in his near future, while the progression shown by the former