David Moyes has admitted he would have loved to have left Harrison Armstrong at Preston North but had little choice to bring the youngster back to Everton.

Armstrong joined North End on deadline day in the summer and went on to make 13 starts in the Championship. However, due to injuries and player unavailability, the 19-year-old was recalled by Moyes on New Year’s Day.

And the Blues boss has admitted that given how well the teenager was doing for his former club Preston, it was a difficult call to recall him, but one he simply had to make.

“Harrison was great and I'm disappointed that I had to bring him back,” Moyes told the Lancashire Post.

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“When you look at how short of players we were over January... we didn't make any signings in January, we brought one player (in) on loan (Tyrique George).

“So, it was difficult for us really...