Everton U23 coach David Unsworth admits they wanted to see Bassala Sambou move away on-loan last month.

Unsworth says a loan is the next “natural step" in Sambou's progression and had expected to see him leave on a short-term deal last month.

He told the Liverpool Echo: "I was surprised nobody came in for him in January because his form was good and his work-rate alone gets you up the pitch and you are able to press behind him.

“There were a couple of enquiries but I was expecting a call from Marcel on deadline day that he was going somewhere but he didn't."