Everton youth coach Baines lays out Okoronkwo season plans

Everton youth coach Leighton Baines has revealed that Francis Okoronkwo will be part of the club's under-19 squad this weekend.

The talented teenager, who has been with the Blues since 2021, scored eight goals in 36 games for the under-21s last term.

The 18-year-old was part of the senior team's preseason preparations in Evian recently, but will be back with the under-19s for a one off.

"I'm excited to see our lads against different teams. You don't always get to play these kinds of academies, so it'll be good to see the different styles of play," Baines evertonfc.com.

"The majority of lads will have been on tours before, so they'll know some of what to expect, but each tour is different and will throw up challenges."

Before Baines added: "The new scholars will be going. They'll join a squad that's similar to what we've had this summer.

"Along with first and second-year scholars, there'll be four lads from the Under-21s: Roman (Dixon), Frankie (Okoronkwo), Jenson (Metcalfe) and Isaac (Heath).

"For some of them, as first-year scholars playing against potentially a good level of first-year pros, it'll be challenging. There will be a lot of learning, for sure."