Derby County boss Paul Warne has made plans for Lewis Dobbin returning to Everton next month.
The Blues confirmed back in August that Dobbin had joined the League One side on loan for the 2022/23 season. Dobbin, at the time, had been wanted by a number of EFL clubs before heading to Pride Park.
The 19-year-old joined Everton's Academy aged 11 and has made impressive progress in recent years, leading to his first-team debut in the Blues’ 2-0 win over Norwich City in September 2021 when he came on as a late substitute.
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After signing a new three-and-a-half-year contract in January 2022, the forward made a further three senior appearances, having scored six goals and provided two assists in 18 Premier League 2 matches for Everton under-23s.
So far this season, Dobbin has made 28 appearances in all competitions for the Rams, scoring twice and claiming four assists. And although Warne "likes to think" Dobbin will remain at Pride Park beyond January, he says he has a plan just in case the forward is recalled.
"I think Will (William Osula, striker on loan from Sheffield United) and Dobbs have plenty to give us. Are they both good to start every game this season? No, they're not,” Warne told Derbyshire Live.
“But then I couldn't guarantee that to a Collo (James Collins), McGoldrick (David) or a Conor Hourihane but I think they're contributing nicely. I like having them here and they have been brilliant options for me to start or to bring off the bench because they've both got pace in their game.
“But what I think, what their parental clubs think - and I try to keep the lines of conversation open all the time - and what their agents think are two different things.
"I would like to think that they'll stay here, but I have to plan in case I get a phone call on January 2 to say there's been an injury at X club, they're going back and you need to make a plan and decide who you want to bring in to replace. That's the constant struggle you have."
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