Loanee midfielder Conor Grant has returned to his parent club Everton with his season-long spell with the Blues being formally ended early in January.

The 21-year-old has gone back to Goodison Park so he can feature for the Toffees' U23s having been unable to break into the Town side on a regular basis.

Grant, who had previously spent time out on loan at Motherwell and Doncaster Rovers, joined the Blues in August and made four starts and three sub appearances for Town without scoring.

Explaining the development, manager Mick McCarthy told the club site: “I felt bad for Conor because he has come to us to play games and although he has had a few appearances, his time on the pitch has been limited.

“The reality is that he was here to develop his game and that wasn’t happening because he wasn’t getting the time on the pitch he needs at his age.

“It’s not his best position but he can play on the left but Tom Lawrence has nailed down that role.

“He is better in a three in the middle of the park but we have got a lot of options there and we also have Kundai, Dozzer and Adam McDonnell - who are our players - pushing to be involved now.

“So I spoke to Joe Royle, who looks after the loan players at Everton, and suggested it might be better for all concerned, especially for Conor’s development, if he went back there and played for their U23s.

“Everton have been great about it, in letting Conor come here in the first place and then understanding the situation and agreeing that it’s best for his development if he goes back there.

“He’s a top pro, Conor and a good player. He’s a great lad as well. He didn’t ask to go back. It’s my idea and it’s been done because it’s the best thing for all concerned.”

Photo: TWTD

12th_Man added 16:59 - Nov 18 And that's what happens when you don't play him
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tractorboytedwardo19 added 17:01 - Nov 18 While it's a shame we haven't really got to see the full potential of Grant, maybe it is the best for both sides. He is a good player and if he isn't getting minutes here then there's not much point of us having him. We have Benyu, dozzell, McDonnell waiting in the wings for central midfield. Hyam to come back from injury and Digby can also play a holding role in midfield. No doubt we didn't make the most of Grant but some things don't work out.

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prebsa added 17:03 - Nov 18 Such a shame we didn't get to see more of him! But got to understand he couldent break into the town side, especially cos we have been playing fantastically this season and have had no reason to make any changes whatsoever!
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ChrisFelix added 17:11 - Nov 18 Its a shame he was kept put of the side by the different class Douglas
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jas0999 added 17:20 - Nov 18 In the summer we really needed to sign players with experience. Fully understood the Webster and Ward permanent signings as they had a good degree of experience but more importantly could develop with us for hopefully a number if seasons. A loanee from Everton is a different story. No real long term or indeed short term benefit. Proven players on loan is different, but this one didn't seem overly relevant considering we have other promising youngsters on our books.

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couldbebetter added 17:21 - Nov 18 He had to go.He couldnt hoof the ball hard enough
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Radlett_blue added 17:28 - Nov 18 While this is sure to attract negative comments, if he isn't good enough to start regularly, it's right that he goes back to Everton as his presence on the bench will only stunt the development of our own young players, like Dozzell & McDonnell.
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grumpyoldman added 17:29 - Nov 18 Jas0999 meant to vote up sorry
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OohOohSamassiAbou added 17:38 - Nov 18 It is a shame that his time with us hasn't gone as he'd have liked, I'm pleased to hear McCarthy mention some of our young players are pushing to be nearer the first team now. (especially as I don't really remember Benyu being mentioned at all before his goal earlier in the week) Hopefully he follows through on this and names some of them on the bench this weekend.

2

Currie10 added 17:55 - Nov 18 Christ alive, lets get real here. He's come primarily as an attacking creative player, is he better than - Ward? Lawrence? Williams? Bishop? Of course he's not. He was poor at Brentford, horrific at Newcastle when he made Douglas look quality. He was a low risk signing that didn't work out - they don't always. Good luck for the future however from what I've seen you will need to go down a league before coming back up.

11

tractorshark added 18:36 - Nov 18 Spot on Curry10. Grant has done very little when he has been on the pitch. Too lightweight at the moment and ineffective. Against Newcastle, he was shocking. It's the right decision for him and us. It probably frees up wages as well.
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Mark added 18:52 - Nov 18 I thought Grant looked good when I first saw him, but understand he has been disappointing since. It's a bit sad to lose someone now as we want the squad to be as strong as possible going into Christmas, but it is right to develop our own youngsters as a priority and I understand the decision.
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braveblue added 19:11 - Nov 18 If you had played him instead of Douglas we may have had an excellent young player for the season. Or even instead of Skuse in our back 5. When Williams and Bishop are injured suppose Dougie will be back in?
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rugbytomc added 19:11 - Nov 18 I'm not really sure why we signed him in the first place. We needed wingers not central midfielders so he was never in with a shout. Good luck to him. Hope Everton appreciate the way we handled things and still give us loan players in the future as they seem to have a wealth of talent come through their ranks. Here's hoping the 3 Mick mentioned CAN and DO push on and become first team players

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Daleyitfc added 19:56 - Nov 18 Just another example of why the loan system should be scrapped completely : football is turning into speedway.
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BrettenhamBlue added 00:22 - Nov 19 Was good as an impact sub. A couple of injuries and he would be playing regularly ahead of Douglas and Coke.
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Superblue95 added 00:27 - Nov 19 Forgot he was here if I'm honest. Far too many midfielders at this club anyway so no major loss especially now we have plenty of attacking players fit
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MicksZzzTactics added 02:39 - Nov 19 Another hyped McCarthy signing bites the dust Another hyped McCarthy 'loanee' signing bites the dust And another one gone, and another one gone.... Another one bites the dust Hey The Dinosaur is gonna get you too! Another one bites the dust .... .... .... .... :-)
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harlingblue added 03:27 - Nov 19 I think that Grant was unfortunate as he came here to play games, but with the form of Ward and Lawrence and the return from injury of Bishop and more importantly McGoldrick meant his game time would be minimal.
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