BURNLEY are hopeful of turning Everton defender Shane Duffy’s loan move into a permanent transfer during the summer.

Duffy this week joined the npower Championship side on a temporary basis until the end of the season.

And Burnley manager Eddie Howe has hinted the Turf Moor side may pursue a long-term deal for the 19-year-old centre-back should his initial stay prove successful.

"He’s a young player who has done very well this season for Everton’s reserves and he is a player with big potential," said Howe.

"I’m delighted with the deal. It’s a double benefit in that it gives us a chance to look at him with a view to next season but he also increases competition for places now and comes straight into the squad.

"We have got a lot of games in April. We will need to use the whole squad and Shane will add more depth."

Meanwhile, Everton reserves manager Alan Stubbs has hailed the continued improvement of January signing Apostolos Vellios.

The 19-year-old striker created goals for both Adam Forshaw and Conor McAleny in Thursday’s 2-2 mini-derby draw against Liverpool at Anfield.

Vellios, a Greece under-21 international, had scored three times in his previous four games.

And Stubbs said: "For me it was the best he’s been since he’s come to the club. He looked more of an all-round player.