On-loan Everton youngster Tom Cannon has opened up on the constant support he has been receiving from Seamus Coleman and his loan move to Preston North End.
Cannon left Goodison Park during the January transfer window, joining Ryan Lowe’s Preston on loan until the end of the season. The youngster has so far scored three times in 13 appearances for the Championship club.
The Aintree-born forward is currently away on international duty with the Republic of Ireland Under-21s, Cannon is eligible through his Galway and Mayo roots, and when asked about Blues captain Coleman, the forward opened up on how he has been keeping in touch with him during his time at Deepdale.
READ MORE: Everton fans suffer again as club hit with another bombshell
READ MORE: Duncan Ferguson admits he was left 'disappointed' after being snubbed by Everton
“Seamus is always the first with the arm around the shoulder,” he revealed. “He always comes over and makes sure you’re alright.
“Since I’ve been away with Preston, he’s been dropping me texts after games and saying I’m playing well and to keep going, which is always nice.”
Cannon impressed in his first season as a fully-fledged under-23 player during the 2021/22 campaign, scoring eight goals in 23 appearances to finish as his side's leading marksman. And after shining for Paul Tait’s under-21 side this season, the forward was handed his senior debut during the Carabao Cup defeat to Bournemouth back in November when he replaced Neal Maupay with nine minutes remaining.
The Everton youngster then made his Premier League debut just five days later against the same opposition in the same stadium, though once again it came on a difficult day for the Blues as they were beaten 3-0 by the Cherries.
The forward bagged his first senior goal against Western Sydney Wanderers during Everton's November tour of Australia, with the strike coming just days after he came off the bench against Celtic in the Sydney Super Cup.
Cannon then made his Premier League debut, coming off on the bench against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Boxing Day, before linking up with Lowe’s side. And the former Maricourt pupil believes his decision to stay on Merseyside for the first-half of the campaign earned him a better loan move in January.
He said: “Everton Under-21 manager Paul Tait said if I stayed and bagged a load of goals, then anything could happen. He was right.
“I stayed and scored quite a few for the U21s, made my League Cup and Premier League debuts the same week.
“Ultimately it got me a better move in January to a better team. It’s all worked out well, and Preston couldn’t have gone better so far.”
Before he added: “Ultimately you don’t want to be the kind of player who is stuck in the mix of being with the first team but not playing.
“When the opportunity came I thought: 'Go out there, great club, get playing, and get good minutes under my belt in the Championship' and take that back to Everton. Hopefully I’ll do well.”
READ NEXT:
- Former Everton player became key man at Nike working with Eric Cantona and Ian Wright
Inside story of Everton training as surprise role and nickname for Asmir Begovic revealed
Everton Shareholders Association reaffirm calls for club to reinstate the Annual General Meetings
Everton irritated for being highlighted over Premier League clubs 'setting a very bad example'
