Fleetwood Town manager Joey Barton has quickly been impressed by on-loan Everton defender Lewis Gibson.

Gibson went straight into the side to make his debut on Saturday in their 2-1 win over Doncaster.

Barton, who also praised Gibson's fellow Blue Callum Connolly, told the Blackpool Gazette: “We've been tracking Lewis Gibson for a large period because we've been looking for a left-footed centre-half.

“Callum Connolly came in and did a shift for us on the left and did the basics superbly, but we've moved him over to his natural side, which releases Coyley (Lewie Coyle) and Wes Burns and allows us to press with a sort of front three.

“Lewis Gibson looked the real deal and handled it superbly, and he'll come on so much for that.

“Connolly, flipping over to the right side, I think found another gear and was superb."