ONE of Everton's best kept secrets could be out of the bag.
David Moyes' decision to invest the modest sum of £50,000 on young Scottish goalkeeper Iain Turner in January last year failed to grab the headlines.
But the coaching staff at Bellefield knew they had uncovered a gem and, 12 months on, the 20-year-old is backing up that assessment with a series of impressive performances on loan at Chester.
Indeed, he has been in such good form for the Conference leaders that they want him to stay longer than the initial one-month loan spell which ends on Sunday.
And Turner is happy to stay on at the Deva Stadium, believing that in aiding Chester back into the Football League he will also boost his chances of making the grade at Goodison.
"It is just a month-long loan but I am happy to stay on because I am enjoying myself over there and it would be good to help them win promotion to the league," said Turner.
"I don't know if I will, that is up to the gaffer, but I would be happy to."
If his stay at the Deva is extended, Turner has no doubts it will prove beneficial.
"Playing these games has helped my game," he adds.
"I have been made up with how things have gone.
"I still train for half the week at Belle-field, getting good quality goalkeeper coaching from Chris Woods. Then at the end of the week I go over to Chester to train with them and get to know the boys.
"But the best thing about the move is playing on a Saturday. You can't beat being involved in proper competitive matches.
"They have got some good players there and great support. It is my fourth game this weekend and we are doing really well.
"You need that competitive edge. I had missed it.
"Mark Wright is a good coach and he has got them flying.
"I have been surprised by the quality of the football. It is better than I expected.
"I would say it is on a par with the Scottish first division and the crowds even match some of the teams in the SPL. We had 3,000 at Chester last weekend, which is really great support."
Turner's career began as a teenager in the Scottish third division with Stirling Albion. He caught the attention of the Everton scouts and Moyes decided to move quickly, aware that Tottenham and Charlton had also shown an interest in the youngster.
He is softly spoken and unassuming but he has settled quickly into life on Merseyside.
In fact, he recently bought his own home in the city after his bright start to life at Everton was rewarded earlier this season with a two-year contract extension, tying him to the club until the summer of 2006.
That move by the club, at a time when new contract offers are scarce, confirmed the manager's belief in Turner. It also alerted fans to his potential.
With Steve Simonsen and Paul Gerrard set to leave in the summer, Turner will move up to become the manager's third-choice keeper.
He continues: "I am not aware of any expectations from the fans. I have just been training and trying to get as many games as I can.
"It was a bit strange coming down here but I am used to it now. I have got my own place and have settled down. Hopefully, I will be here for a while.
"I have been lucky to be on the bench for a couple of games this season and, obviously, I want to build on that in time."
Regular first-team football at Chester, where former first choice keeper Wayne Brown has been ruled out until the end of the season, will help.
The fact Wright had no hesitation in drafting in Turner, despite his lack of senior football, says a lot.
"I must admit, I was surprised I got this chance," Turner readily admits.
"When it comes to keepers most managers are looking for experience. And so when I heard Chester were interested in me I was surprised because they are top of the Conference.
"But I am very grateful to have been given the chance to join them and I hope I can play my part in helping them win promotion."
That decision will be made by the Everton boss early next week.
