Alex complete deal for Toffee's youngster

Crewe Alexandra Under 23's have completed the loan signing of Everton defender James Yates on a deal until January 19 2017.

Yates becomes the second player to sign exclusively for Alex Morris' development side following the loan capture of Callum Bullock from Manchester City.

The fixture pile-up for the first team, U23 and U18 sides have proved a strain on the small squads, so the signings of Bullock and now Yates have been engineered to ease that strain.

Yates joined The Toffees' academy at the age of 11 before progessing through the ranks to earn a first professional contract in summer 2015. A regular in the England set-up at U17 level, he helped The Three Lions qualify for the World Cup

Signing on a standard loan due to the new rules, Yates will be available for Steve Davis' first team should he be called up to do so & will wear the number 29 shirt should he do so.