Everton Loan Watch: December and January

In the second of our monthly reports, we detail the progress of every Everton player currently on loan over the Christmas and January period.

The Christmas and New Year period is a really important time for any developing player. The festive fixture list is rigorous, and it’s easy to fall into bad form quickly. On the upside, it’s equally likely that players can build some serious momentum. As you would expect, it’s been a mixed bag for the Everton loanees.

Here is the round-up of the fortunes of all the players seconded from Goodison Park over the past month.

Kieran Dowell – Nottingham Forest (Championship)

Dowell has continued his hot form, culminating in his eye-catching display against Arsenal in the FA Cup. Dowell courted controversy as he slipped to score a decisive penalty in the match. On closer inspection, he seemed to hit the ball twice.

Despite problems in front of goal in the first team, Sam Allardyce has elected to keep Dowell on loan in the Championship until the end of the season. So far, the midfielder has scored eight goals in 27 games.

Kevin Mirallas – Olympiacos (Greek Super League)

As mentioned in Monday’s transfer round-up, Mirallas departed the Merseyside for Olympiacos on loan. This deal will likely become permanent.

Mirallas played his first league game in Greece last weekend and did not score or assist. However, more light has been shed on his fall from grace at Goodison. According to Marc Williams in the Daily Star, Mirallas was told he would be an integral player in Koeman’s team this year. All in all, a move away from Everton looks to be the best outcome for both club and player.

Tyias Browning – Sunderland AFC (Championship)

Sunderland have had a tough season. The club plummeted to the foot of the Championship table, leading to manager Simon Grayson being sacked in October. Grayson was replaced by Chris Coleman, who promptly dropped several lynchpin players in the Black Cats team.

Browning has weathered the storm at the Stadium of Light, and continues to impress in a streaky Sunderland defence. In fact, he has kept several star names out of the team, including Lamine Kone. The big Ivorian was previously courted by Everton, and may remain of interest to Steve Walsh and Allardyce according to the Liverpool Echo.

Callum Connolly – Ipswich Town (Championship)

After finding a rich vein of goalscoring form in early December, Connolly has failed to keep up his good pace. Since the last round-up he has failed to score, but has picked up three yellow cards in six games. Connolly is more of a water-carrier than an offensive talent, but he has been somewhat inconsistent in defensive play in the past month. He has only made five successful tackles in five games according to Squawka.

Connolly faces more competition in the Ipswich midfield. Luke Hyam is nearly fit after a long-term injury. The Tractor Boys have also signed Stephen Gleeson on loan from Birmingham City, according to the East Anglia Daily Times.

Antonee Robinson – Bolton Wanderers (Championship)

Everton agreed to extend Robinson’s loan spell at the Macron Stadium until the end of the season. Robinson has had a decent month, playing in a Bolton team that concedes few but fails to pick up many points.

Bolton manager Phil Parkinson hasn’t exactly encouraged his full-backs to play in an incredibly offensive manner. The Wanderers defence is extremely compact. However, Robinson has played responsibly and maturely in this conservative environment. He will likely continue to start in the next month.

Matthew Pennington – Leeds United (Championship)

More from Prince Rupert's Tower

Pennington continues to play sporadically for promotion-chasing Leeds. The Warrington-born defender remains a regular substitute, albeit invariably introduced late in the game. To this end, Pennington has only played 12 minutes since our last report. He has been out recently with a minor injury.

Despite his lack of first team football, Leeds are allegedly interested in signing Pennington permanently. The Daily Express report this could be completed during the January transfer window.

Brendan Galloway – Sunderland AFC (Championship)

Galloway continues to struggle to impress on Wearside. He has not played since our last loan report.

According to the Liverpool Echo, Galloway could return to Goodison soon, as there is little point in him remaining in Sunderland with no game-time.

Round-up of the rest

Liam Walsh, who we noted had returned early from a loan with Birmingham City, has now left Merseyside entirely. He has been purchased by Bristol City. Harry Charsley, who made his Everton debut against Apollon Limassol has been loaned to Bolton. He has made one start. Conor Grant has recently returned from Crewe Alexandra, after making 17 league appearances.

Next: Everton hammered as Kane claims Spurs record

In news outside the English league system, Henry Onyekuru picked up a knee injury on December 22, and has not played since. He will be out until the end of the season.