The locally-born striker Kevin McCleod is another promising youngster who has come through from grass roots level at Goodison Park. The left-sided midfielder can also operate as a traditional winger and he has established himself as a regular fixture in the Everton reserve team. On more than one occasion, he has found the net.

His displays became impressive enough on a regular basis and in September 2000 he was given his debut in the Barclaycard Premiership by the then Toffees boss Walter Smith.

The home fixture against Ipswich Town gave Smith a chance to 'blood' the youngster and although he only featured in the Everton team on one occasion in the 2001-2002 season, he has a two-year contract extension offered by the club during the 2000-2001 season. This should give him ample opportunity to impress the Everton manager David Moyes.