Young loanee Callum Connolly feels he can offer the club goals from an unusual area and also versatility in times of need.

The Everton youngster, 18, is the Toffees' top-scorer at under 21 level this season with seven goals. He has also filled in in several positions but played right-back for the Reds on his professional debut against Walsall on Saturday. Connolly, who has been with Everton since he was nine, told the Chronicle about his goalscoring exploits.

"This year I've played in a lot of positions and I'm happy to do that to help the team," he said.

"All the goals have come from open play. I don't take the penalties.  They have been all types of goals and hopefully I will be able to take that to Barnsley."

Connolly says going out on loan at such a young age has been made easier by Barnsley's form which has seen them charge into the play-offs. He added: "Making my debut was a great experience and so was running out in front of all the fans.  I thought I played well. It's tough for any young lad to go out on loan but I've settled in straight away and all the lads and coaches are sound. The atmosphere in the changing room and on the training pitch is very good. The confidence is high and that is how it should be."

The England youth international can also be used in a defensive midfield role as well as left-back so offers Barnsley plenty of options even if James Bree is to return from injury ahead of Connolly's spell expiring after the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Final on April 3.

Connolly says it was one of the strange things in football that he is now playing in the position once held by his Everton teammate Mason Holgate. He says Holgate, along with Everton's staff, encouraged him to make his move to Oakwell.

"Mason's a good lad and I spoke to him about coming here. He said it would be a good move for me," added Connolly.

"The League Cup game between Everton and Barnsley was a great game to watch. The philosophies of the two clubs are similar. We both like to get the ball down and play. "I've come to Barnsley to get games under my belt and take that back to Everton and try and break in there. I've played central defence, left-back, right-back and also in midfield this season. I'm happy to do that and help the team and manager."