Burnley boss Eddie Howe has signed Everton youngster Shane Duffy on loan with a view to next season.
Clarets boss feels loan signing can boost promotion bid
Eddie Howe admits he has signed Everton youngster Shane Duffy on loan with a view to the defender returning to Burnley next season.
Duffy has linked up with Burnley on an initial month-long deal in order to build up his first-team experience after making just two appearances for Everton to date.
The Republic of Ireland Under 21 international is back to full fitness after recovering from a life-threatening injury suffered in May last year.
Howe feels the 19-year-old can boost the Clarets' bid for promotion this season, but also has a longer-term plan in mind for Duffy.
"He's a young player who has done very well this season for Everton's reserves and he is a player with big potential," the Burnley boss told the club's official website.
"I'm delighted with the deal. It's a double benefit in that it gives us a chance to look at him with a view to next season but he also increases competition for places now and comes straight into the squad.
"We have got a lot of games in April. We will need to use the whole squad and Shane will add more depth."
