Everton want to send a number of their under-23s out on loan during the January transfer window.
But the financial impact of the Covid pandemic on League One and League Two clubs, especially, is set to make that a tough task for the club's recruitment chiefs.
The Blues did manage to agree a deal for Matty Pennington to go to League One Shrewsbury Town earlier this week but there is fear inside Goodison that securing more moves of that nature could be difficult.
With many sides in the EFL having played this season with a limited number, or no, supporters, they are ruled out of being able to pay a percentage of wages to bring in a young player from Everton.
The Blues could choose to continue paying a player's salary in full for the duration of any loan but the club would have to weigh up where the youngster was in his development and judge it on a case-by-case basis.
Everton have not completely ruled out the possibility of adding to their u-23s squad this month but the priority is trying to get players out on loan.
Midfielder Beni Baningime saw a move to Blackpool fall through in the summer while Ellis Simms was being lined up for a January switch earlier this season.
Nathan Broadhead, who is now into the final six months of his contract at Goodison, could also be on the look-out for a loan move this month.
But Everton are aware that the market for their young players could be smaller than in previous seasons given the impact of the Covid crisis.
