To witness Morgan Feeney thundering into tackles, powering headers clear and expertly marshalling the Everton Under-23s’ backline, it is striking when the Bootle-born defender admits, “I’m still not quite 100 per cent yet”.
Feeney has been a key component of a rock-solid young Blues defence that has conceded just seven goals in their opening 13 Premier League 2 matches – the best record in the division. He will be aiming to deliver another accomplished performance as the table-topping Toffees travel to Leicester City on Monday night (7pm kick-off).
Feeney was out of action for seven months - between February and September 2018 - after undergoing surgery on both knees to correct a long-standing problem with his patella tendons.