Blackburn Rovers manager Tony Mowbray believes Jarrad Branthwaite can 'compete' for a place in the Everton squad under Carlo Ancelotti next season.
Mowbray confirmed he does not expect Branthwaite - who signed on-loan in January - to feature for Rovers again this term after suffering an ankle injury in training.
But he reckons the 18-year-old has 'all the qualities' to have a 'very positive career' after a meteoric rise since arriving at Goodison Park from Carlisle United in January last year.
Branthwaite made his Premier League debut under Ancelotti after the Premier League restart in July - going on to appear four times before the end of the campaign - and secured a move to Rovers the following winter.
Mowbray told BBC Lancashire Sport: "I think he's a young footballer who's done well.
"It's amazing to jump from Carlisle to the Premier League with Everton and then be given the opportunity to play in the Championship.
"He's got all the qualities. He reminds me of a young Gary Pallister, when Pally arrived at Middlesbrough in 1987, a young guy who everything is happening fast for them but has all the attributes.
"He has a wonderful feeling at his feet, passing the ball, he is very quick, he's six foot five, he just has to put all the bits together and we can all sit and watch his career develop.
"I'm sure it'll be a very positive career, and I hope he has a good summer and gets himself fit to compete to get in Everton's Premier League team."
Branthwaite made 10 appearances for Blackburn before injury curtailed his campaign.
