Michael Keane impressed by what he has seen of Everton youngster Lewis Dobbin in pre-season

Everton youngster Lewis Dobbin “is only going to get better”, according to club teammate Michael Keane.

Dobbin has been heavily included in the Toffees’ pre-season preparations so far and scored on Tuesday 1 August in Everton’s 2-2 draw with Italian opposition Monza.

Defender Keane believes that the 20-year-old has benefited from spending last season out on loan with Derby County in League One and has so far been impressed by what he has seen in training.

“I think he has done really well in pre-season, and he’s looking fit and sharp. He has got bits of quality and is only going to get better as well,” Keane told Liverpool Echo (3 August).

“He is a young lad who obviously had some good experience last season out on loan, and that will have done him good.”

Sean Dyche has been giving the young forward plenty of opportunities during pre-season so far and this suggests that the striker might be in his plans for the upcoming campaign.

Positive words from senior players such as Keane will only help Dobbin’s chances of featuring more regularly next season and will give the youngster a much-welcome boost of confidence.

The club avoided relegation by the finest of margins last season and a big part of their troubles was their lack of goals. Dyche might now be looking to turn to some of the younger players in his squad to help with those particular troubles.

While he might not be ready to make that step up and become the main man on Merseyside just yet, becoming more involved in and around the first-team set-up could help his development.

Whether or not he is included more regularly this season, Keane’s recent comments suggest he is highly thought of at the club and could have a bright future ahead.