Everton youngster Lewis Gibson is a leading contender to join the Blues on loan as Toto Nsiala’s replacement for the second half of the season.

According to the EADT, the Blues are close to signing the 19-year-old centre-half, however, we understand a deal is still some way from being concluded but with the former Newcastle scholar high up on Paul Lambert’s list of potential centre-half signings.

Nsiala is expected to complete his loan move to Bolton prior to the 12 noon deadline which would allow him to play for the Trotters in tomorrow’s derby against Rochdale, however, the Blues won’t have his replacement in place for this weekend.

Gibson joined the Toffeemen from the Magpies in the summer of 2017 for a reported £990,000 potentially rising to £6 million, the left-sided defender having turned down Spurs, Man City and Southampton and others to make the move to Goodison Park.

The England U17, U18 and U20 international, who can also operate at left-back, is yet to make a senior appearance for Everton and a move to Town would be his first loan spell.

Speaking at this morning’s press conference, Lambert confirmed he would be bringing someone in to replace Nsiala.

“We’re trying to look at something at the minute to see if something can happen and if we can do that then great,” he said."

“But as I said before, it’s difficult because if you don’t have the finances to go out do major things, but we’ll try and do little things.”

Lambert again ruled out a return for Tommy Smith, who is continuing to train with the Blues’ U23s having left the Colorado Rapids late last year.

“Tommy’s got his own career in the States and whatever he had here, you can’t keep revisiting that,” he said. “It’s crazy because you’ve got to move on.

“The lad did great here, absolutely terrific, but you’ve got to move on. It’s football, football doesn’t wait for anybody.”

Photo: TWTD

TractorRoyNo1 added 11:48 - Jan 10 Tommy Smith no1, Tommy Smith no2, Tommy Smith no3, Tommy Smith no4.... open your mind Lambo
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MrTown added 11:58 - Jan 10 Probably more of a realisation this that we can't afford Tommy Smith.
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casanovacrow added 12:11 - Jan 10 Our defenders all seem to be pushed off far too easy in this division as it is. Playing it out from the back only works if you can get hold of the ball in the first place.
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positivity added 12:15 - Jan 10 we shouldn't let toto go until we've got someone to replace him, have we learnt nothing from losing waggy & garner?
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OwainG1992 added 13:12 - Jan 10 Tommy Smith was slow before. He's older now and had a number of injuries. This lad is really promising let's bring him in.
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r2d2 added 13:16 - Jan 10 A 19 year old. Surely we need some experience at the back. Granted Chambers is too old. But the Wolf and a 19 year old. Think we need more experience.
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ShropshireBluenago09 added 13:33 - Jan 10 Wilson is experienced
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strikalite added 17:00 - Jan 10 This lad is 19, yet Lambo harps on about our kids still learning and not ready for first team football, which one is it? If you're good enough you're old enough? So Dobra and El Miz hardly get a few minutes between them yet this Everton "kid" is trusted to step into our back line?
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budgieplucker added 19:35 - Jan 10 This will play right into PLs squad rotation. Chambers and Woolfie one week Chambers and Gibson the next and then back to Woolfie again. Wilson will get the odd game but predominantly cover Chambers and give him a rest. Alternatively if 3 at the back played then Wilson, Woolfie and Gibson can each miss a game in turn.
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Linkboy13 added 23:01 - Jan 10 I agree owaing1992 we cant live in the past we'd be selling one carthorse and then getting another with a turning circle of a double decker bus .if he had impressed in training we would have signed him.
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