By Pranav Shahaney

30th Sep, 2022 | 7:21am

Frank Lampard: Everton summer signing James Garner now ready to go

Frank Lampard claims that Everton midfielder James Garner has told him that he’s now fit to play after previously saying that he was not ready to go.

Ahead of the game against Southampton on Saturday, the Toffees boss was quizzed about the 21-year-old who was signed from Manchester United.

He is yet to make his debut for Everton and Lampard admits that he’s now ready to feature for the senior side.

Lampard said, via the Liverpool Echo, “I’m really impressed. When he wasn’t fit, he declared that to me. It’s great he played for the England under-21s, now he is ready to go.”

Good news

Garner was dubbed as the next big thing at Manchester United and many expected him to break into the first team.

However, Erik ten Hag made his decision on the 21-year-old and he was moved on to the club that matched their demands.

Garner is young and probably will not start too many games this season but will get first-team experience.

Lampard is the ideal manager to teach a young midfielder his trade and Garner would be privileged to work under him.

We’re hoping that he gets his Toffees debut this weekend and we’re keen to see which position he plays in.

He can play as a number six, a number eight as well as a box-to-box midfielder so we should be seeing him nailing down a position in the coming months.

In other Everton news, forward Cody Ebere signs his first professional contract at Goodison Park.