IRELAND U21 international Sam Byrne is set for a lengthy spell out of action after breaking his leg.
The 20-year-old Kildare native, who has represented the Boys in Green at U17, U19 and U21 level, suffered the unfortunate injury in what has been described as a “freak accident” during a training session on Thursday.
“It was a freak accident,” Everton U21 coach David Unsworth told the club.
The boys are all gutted for Sam because they are a close group and he’s a popular member of the squad.
“We will give him all the support he needs and I look forward to having him back amongst us as soon as possible.”
A former St Joseph’s Boys schoolboy, Byrne signed for Manchester United back in 2011 before moving to the Toffees three years later.
The forward has made 10 appearances for Everton’s U21s this season — scoring two goals.
At international level, he won his first U21 cap in October 2014 and has been a regular in Noel King’s squad when fit.