Everton recall Harrison Armstrong from Preston loan as squad role confirmed

Everton have recalled Harrison Armstrong early from his season-long loan at Preston North End, with the teenage midfielder now set to bolster David Moyes’ depleted squad for the start of 2026.

The 18-year-old has returned to Finch Farm and is in contention to feature when Everton face Brentford on Sunday.

Following Everton’s impressive 2-0 win away at Nottingham Forest — achieved with just 11 fit players who had previous Premier League experience — Moyes had already hinted that a recall was imminent.

“It’s more than likely we will bring Harrison Armstrong back,” Moyes told the ECHO earlier this week.

That decision has now been confirmed, with the West Derby-born midfielder rejoining the first-team group as Everton navigate a demanding period with limited midfield options.

Armstrong, who turns 19 on January 19, made his senior debut for Everton under Sean Dyche, coming on as a late substitute in a 4-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on August 24, 2024.

A year later, he enjoyed a landmark moment when he became the first Scouser to play a competitive match at Hill Dickinson Stadium, appearing at the end of a 2-0 win there under Moyes.

Three days after that appearance, Armstrong was handed a start in the Carabao Cup second round victory over Mansfield Town. He marked the occasion in style, providing two assists for Charly Alcaraz and Beto before sealing a deadline-day loan move to Deepdale.

During his time with Preston North End, Armstrong made 17 appearances, scoring once and registering one assist as Paul Heckingbottom’s side climbed to within a point of the Championship play-off places.

The loan was widely viewed as a success in terms of development, but Everton’s current squad situation has prompted an early return.

Everton are currently without Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye, both of whom are away with Senegal national football team at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Meanwhile, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is sidelined with a hamstring injury and is not expected to return until later this month.

With those absences mounting, Moyes has opted to bring Armstrong back into the fold, having previously trusted him with a similar loan recall from Derby County during the second half of last season.

Everton begin the New Year with three home matches in the space of a week. After Sunday’s meeting with Brentford, the Toffees host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday before welcoming Sunderland in the FA Cup third round the following Saturday.

Armstrong’s recall provides Moyes with much-needed depth — and potentially an opportunity for the young midfielder to further stake his claim at senior level.

Whether Armstrong features immediately remains to be seen, but his return underlines Everton’s reliance on academy talent during a testing period.

Should David Moyes hand Harrison Armstrong Premier League minutes straight away — or ease him back into the squad?