New deals for Everton stars Kieran Dowell & Callum Connolly

Everton youngsters Kieran Dowell and Callum Connolly in line for new deals

Blues keen to tie up young stars after breakthrough season at Goodison

Everton will continue to invest in their young players by opening contract talks with Kieran Dowell and Callum Connolly.

The ECHO revealed yesterday that midfielder Tom Davies is set to be offered a new long-term contract to reflect his new-found status with the Blues.

And Dowell and Connolly, who also made their Premier League debuts this season, are also set to new contract talks soon.

Talented forward Dowell signed his first professional deal with the club last March but will be out of contract at the end of next season.

And versatile defender Connolly, who can also play in midfield, also sees his current deal run out in 12 months.

Talks are expected this summer as Everton look to reward the progression of the clutch of young players who broke through into the first-team this season.

Connolly made his bow when replacing the injured Seamus Coleman in April’s game with Southampton.

Dowell had to wait until the penultimate home game of the season, against Bournemouth, to get his chance in the Premier League before he started the final match of the campaign against Norwich City.

Following the game under-21s boss David Unsworth, who took temporary charge following Roberto Martinez’s sacking, said: “I think there is a ­goldmine here with the young players – there are maybe eight or nine who could be ready for the first-team squad over the next year.

“That’s the challenge of the manager, can he blend established players with the unbelievable young talent we have?

“Their pedigree is the highest level. They’ve played for England together through the different age groups.”

Liv Echo