Everton youngster in line for debut after manager praise

Everton prospect Lewis Warrington could be set to make his Tranmere Rovers debut on Saturday when the League Two club travels to AFC Barrow.

The 19-year-old midfielder was snapped up by Rovers boss Micky Mellon on transfer deadline day, arriving at Prenton Park on a loan deal that runs until the end of the season.

Promotion-chasing Tranmere are without key midfielder Jay Spearing, which could now provide Warrington with his first opportunity to impress the Super White Army.

Ex-Liverpool player Spearing has formed a robust engine-room pairing with Irishman Lee O'Connor that has been instrumental in helping Rovers uphold the meanest defensive record in League Two.

But a knee injury has ruled him out of action this weekend, with Mellon indicating that it is too early to suggest how long he will be unavailable for.

Birkenhead-born Warrington, who has impressed with 13 appearances in Premier League 2 this season and three in the EFL Trophy, will face competition from veteran midfielder Sam Foley, who Mellon may give the nod to for a starting birth in the centre of the park.

But having fended off the interest of a number of League One clubs to bring the Goodison Park prospect back to the Wirral this week, the Scot may choose to throw his new acquisition straight into the action.

Speaking about Warrington's capture to the club's official website, Mellon said: “I’m delighted to bring Lewis in. He’ll complement what we already have in the midfield.

“It’s good to have that other midfield player in there to give us something a little bit different. He’ll give us a bit of variety and quality and he’s someone we’ve watched for a long time.

“It’s great to be able to have these relationships with these other clubs. We must be one of