Astley on bench for Everton

Llanfair Caereinion youngster Ryan Astley moved a step closer to his Premier League debut last night.

The 19-year-old centre back was a named substitute for Everton in the 1-0 victory over Southampton at Goodison Park but was not called into action.

Astley, who has been at Everton since he was a seven-year-old, has been on the fringe of the first team at Everton all season but this was the first time he has made the first team match-day squad.

Astley was also a Wales U17 captain and is now in the U21 set-up.

The Welshman has been a mainstay at the back for David Unsworth's under-23s so far this season having joined the Finch Farm Academy at the age of 9 and was awarded a scholarship to play for Everton in November 2017.