David Unsworth saluted the performance of Harry Tyrer and believes his Everton under-23 side are reaping the benefits of the young goalkeeper training with the first-team.
Tyrer was one of the young Blues’ standout performers as they fell to a slender 1-0 defeat to Hartlepool United in the Papa John's Trophy at Victoria Park on Tuesday night.
The 19-year-old Academy starlet enjoyed a successful season with the Blues’ under-23 side last season, and is highly-rated at Finch Farm.
Tyrer made his first-team vow in the pre-season friendly win over Preston North End last summer and went on to feature on the bench for the first-team seven times during last season.
So far this season, Tyrer has been spotted warming up with first-team keepers Jordan Pickford, Asmir Begovic and Andy Lonergan before games as well as continuing to impress for Unsworth’s side.
And the former Blues defender believes Tyrer is probably one of the best goalkeepers his side have had and he has backed the youngster to go and on and have a fine career.
He said: "He trains with the First Team every day. He’s a great lad and is probably the best goalkeeper we’ve had at this level alongside Joao (Virginia). Harry's got a fine career ahead of him."
Defeat at Victoria Park brought an end to Everton’s Papa John's Trophy hopes as Matty Daly's 71st-minute strike proved to be the difference.
However, the young Blues created a number of openings with Stanley Mills, Rhys Hughes, Tom Cannon and Lewis Dobbin all going close.
And despite the disappointing result, Unsworth admits he was heartened by his side's 'brave' performance, although he acknowledges they probably lacked the 'physicality' to properly test their hosts.
"We had a great game against Morecambe in this competition,” he told evertonfc.com after the game.
“I was disappointed with how we played against Carlisle but tonight, there’s disappointment in the result but in terms of performance, we didn’t’ half play well.
“We didn’t deserve to lose at all. We dominated possession, we were terrific on the ball and were brave.
"We had our two chances in the second half, hitting the bar through Stan, and it was just unlucky. And then their keeper has pulled off an absolute worldy save in the last minute.
"We perhaps didn’t have the physicality in the final third to bully their three strong centre-halves but that’s why we play in this tournament. These boys are 17, 18 years of age and they are developing that."
