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Brendan Galloway hopes he is closing in on a first-team breakthrough at Everton following an impressive season for the Blues’ second string.

The 18-year-old defender turned in a man-of-the-match performance for the under-21s on Monday night as they stylishly saw off second-placed Southampton u-21s.

Galloway was signed on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee from MK Dons in the summer and the 6’1” centre-half said Roberto Martinez’s history with developing young players convinced him Everton was the right club to join.

And six months after linking up with the Blues the England under-19 international believes he is now pushing for a place in the senior set-up.

Martinez is known to be delighted with Galloway’s progress and could include him in a matchday squad before the end of the season. But the teenager is almost certain to spend a spell out on loan before becoming a regular in the first-team.

“It has been really good,” Galloway said of his first six months at the club.

“Everton is a real family club and that has helped me settle in. I have settled in really well.

“I’m still learning but hopefully I can get in the first-team.”

“I feel I’m ready for first team action”

He added: “I’d like to think I’m close to the first-team. I work hard everyday and do extras because I want to take those centre-back places in the first-team.”

Galloway looks to John Stones, who made his Blues debut at 19, for inspiration but also says he can learn from the experience of Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin.

“I look at John and see that he has played for England seniors as well and that’s massive. And it’s a big thing that the gaffer puts trust in the youngsters,” Galloway said.

“But I also look to Jags and Distin, who have got a lot of experience at that level, and I look to learn off them.”

Blues boss is watching Galloway’s rapid progress

Martinez was in the stands on Monday night as Everton cruised past Southampton and Galloway says the manager’s commitment to giving youth a chance was a big factor in his move to Merseyside.

“It is really positive and before I came here I was well aware of that,” he said.

“It was one of the things that made me choose Everton because he likes to put his faith in youngsters and if you play well then you will be there.

“There is no question about it, which is the pleasing thing about it.”

He continued: “Every match, every player wants to impress.

“But I don’t think there is any pressure. The managers we have don’t put that pressure on you, I just want to prove I’m good enough to be here which is the most important thing.”

Brendan in line to face Villareal tonight...

Galloway will line-up for Everton’s u-21s tonight as they welcome Villarreal to Goodison (7pm) for their latest Premier League International Cup tie.

And the graceful defender says, the Blues head into the game with confidence high following their victory over the Saints.

“It was a good one,” Galloway said.

“We knew Southampton would come here and give us a tough game but I felt we started brightly and after that played some good football.

“Every game you always want to win. We want to win everything and that is our aim. I think we can win every game we play, that is how good our team is.”