Everton loan star Ellis Simms has revealed he was in contact with Leighton Baines and Marcel Brands during his loan spell with Blackpool.
The 20-year-old spent the second-half of this season on loan with Neil Critchley's side and scored 10 goals in 23 appearances to help the Seasiders reach the League One play-off final.
However, the youngster was unable to play at Wembley on Sunday, after picking up a groin injury during the final stages of training the day before.
Critchley’s side claimed a 2-1 win at the home of English football and the ECHO understands Everton are to offer Simms a new contract.
The club will also discuss the possibility of him going out on loan for a second time, if he agrees to put pen to paper on fresh terms.
But reflecting on his time on the Fylde Coast, the Oldham-born forward has revealed key members of the Blues’ coaching staff were constantly in contact with him.
“About two months into the loan, Leighton and Franny [Jeffers, former under-23 coach] invited me to Finch Farm to go through some of my clips,” he told evertonfc.com.
“They showed me what I’d been doing well but also what I could work on. That was a massive help and gave me a lot of belief.
“I knew I had their confidence when I went back to Blackpool and managed to build on that and improve my performances from there.
“I was in touch with Marcel [Brands, Director of Football], Gretar [Steinsson, Head of Recruitment and Development], [Under-18 manager] Paul Tait and [Under-18 Assistant Manager] Keith Southern, too.
“They all supported me and gave me valuable bits of advice. I felt they were watching and that they cared about me.
“From the beginning of the loan to the end, I have improved so much as a player.”
