DAVID MOYES will resist the urge to plunge Ross Barkley into the Everton first team after the teenager returned from his loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday.

The Blues boss has taken the precaution of recalling the 18-year-old (right) from the Championship side as cover in the wake of mounting injuries, but admits he could send him back out again in January.

Barkley has enjoyed a productive two months scoring four goals in 13 appearances for the Owls, but Moyes believes he is still learning and will benefit from further experience.

He said: “Because of the injuries I felt we needed to get him back in the squad. Ideally I would probably have liked to have left him longer to get more games, and if I don’t get him the games I want I’ll probably look to put him back out on loan maybe going into the new year.

“But we’ll see how he does while he’s here. He needed the games and he still does. He's a an 18-year-old player and we’ll continue to grow him. I’ll have a good look at him and see where he is exactly and where his development is.

“It’s really important that we keep that development going and, from what I’ve seen, he’s matured a bit and come on a bit with the games he’s had at Sheffield Wednesday. With young players the games make a big difference.”