Fleetwood Town manager Joey Barton hailed 'outstanding' Lewis Gibson as the defender continued his impressive start to life on loan.
Gibson completed his first senior move to Fleetwood in January and has helped the League One outfit to consecutive 2-1 victories over Doncaster Rovers and AFC Wimbledon respectively.
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Playing alongside fellow Everton loanee Callum Connolly in a five-man defence, the teenager was picked out for individual praise by Barton after the win at Kingsmeadow on Saturday moved Town to within three points of the play-off places.
“We had to stand up and be counted," the former Manchester City midfielder, who was appointed manager in June 2018, said.
"We knew what was coming and I am really pleased to see two young centre-halves grow with the physicality.
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"Lewis (Gibson) only played his second ever league game and a lot of balls came down his channel, which he dealt with. He was outstanding and got better and better as the game went on.”
Gibson signed a new two-and-a-half year contract before joining Fleetwood until the end of the season.
