Alan Stubbs believes David Weir’s appointment as Sheffield United manager could provide an opportunity for Everton’s younger players to gain important first-team experience with the South Yorkshire club.
Weir left his coaching role with the Blues earlier this month to take up the reins at Bramall Lane.
The 43-year-old has been charged with the task of steering the Blades back into the Championship after two disappointing seasons in English football’s third tier.
And having struck up a strong working relationship with Weir during both their playing and coaching careers, Stubbs said he’d approve any loan requests from the Scot for Everton’s starlets – as long as they are beneficial to all parties involved.
“I think it’s something that we will think about because it’s a big club,” Stubbs told evertonfc.com.
“Davey knows the young lads who could benefit the club and benefit him and, if that’s the case, and we see if it’s right for the player, then why not?
“It will be a great experience for them but first and foremost we will look and see if it’s the right move for the player, because that’s what we always do.
“We never send lads out on loan and just leave them. We see if it’s the right type of club, whether they play the right type of football, whether it will suit them and whether they will look after the player.
“There are quite a few things we look into before we let the young lads out on loan.”
Sheffield United recorded a fifth-place finish in League One during the 2012/13 season before losing to Yeovil Town in the play-off semi-finals.
Stubbs is confident Weir, who replaces former boss Danny Wilson, will succeed in his new job, despite current financial restrictions at Bramall Lane.
“It’s a great opportunity for him,” he said. “It’s not going to be an easy job but it’s a fantastic chance to go and we’ll see what he makes of it now.
“Davey’s target this season will be promotion and the fans there will demand that because it’s a big club in League One and they want to be back in the Championship and then the Premier League.
“It will be tough but it’s a challenge that he will really relish.”
Sounds a good idea but hope he has discussed with Martinez and not just testing his boundaries.