Everton youngster Kieran Phillips played on trial yet again for Sheffield United Under-23s as they lost to rivals Sheffield Wednesday.
Phillips was once more unnamed by the club’s official channels, but the Sheffield Star reports that the 19-year-old did indeed start upfront for the Blades.
The striker had his chances to score in the 1-0 defeat to Wednesday as well. Having netted the previous week in a 3-3 draw with Bolton Wanderers, Phillips had two decent efforts that were saved by Owls goalkeeper Joshua Render.
Yet clearly United are taking a close look at the teenager, who has entered the final year of his current contract at Goodison Park.
According to the Liverpool Echo, Phillips is expected to find a new club to join permanently in January. Currently, the most likely destination appears to be Bramall Lane.
Who is Everton youngster Kieran Phillips?
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Born in Yorkshire, Phillips is part of the Everton academy. Last season the forward scored 12 goals in 11 appearances before putting pen to paper on his first professional deal over the summer.
That was quite some achievement, considering at one stage it was thought Phillips might not walk again. The Toffees starlet suffered a double knee fracture that damaged both the bone and cartilage.
Phillips spent 750 days being treated, with surgeons concerned his knee might collapse. Yet he not only returned to play for the Under-18s last season, but scored twice on his comeback against Wolverhampton Wanderers. The attacker later netted a hat-trick against Manchester City.
That saw Phillips promoted to the Under-23s, but he has managed just five minutes of action this term. That is why manager David Unsworth has allowed him to go on trial with the Blades.
Unsworth has strong connections with United as a former player and coach.
Phillips’ time at Merseyside appears to be over, but in South Yorkshire it may have only just begun.