EVERTON Under-21s forward Courtney Duffus gave the Bury coaching staff a glowing reference after returning to Goodison early from a loan spell at the JD Stadium.

While the 19-year-old striker struggled to find his feet during his first taste of league football, the teenager had nothing but praise for the Shakers experience.

“It’s helped me massively,” he told evertonfc.com.

“I’ve come back and I’m feeling stronger, fitter and sharper.

“Going to the lower leagues you appreciate everything what you have got here at Everton 10 times as much.

“I learnt more about the physicality of the game and it’s made me realise just how fit you’ve got to be to play first team football.”

Duffus signed for Bury in October, starting as a lone front man in his debut at Southend.

He went on to make five appearances, three of them from the bench, before being recalled by Everton in November after failing to register a first league goal.