Defender Harry Wright is certain Everton Under-18s can complete their North-East treble on a positive note to exert a firmer grip on a position in the top half of the Premier League North standings.

Manager Paul Tait’s team go to Sunderland on Saturday following draws with Newcastle United and Middlesbrough in the past fortnight.

Everton are seventh in the 14-team division, right in the thick of an unprecedented logjam, with only three points separating fourth-placed Derby County and Leeds United in 12th.

Wright, 17, joined the Club at 14 and is progressively establishing a full-back spot in Tait’s side.

He started the game at Newcastle last Saturday, when Everton claimed a point despite playing the final 20 minutes with 10 men following a red card for centre-half Ed Jones.

A hefty measure of Wright’s development this term, he insists, is the product of Tait’s coaching – in addition to guidance from one of the Club’s greatest left-backs in the shape of Leighton Baines, the Under-18 assistant boss.

“Paul has helped me become more solid, especially in my one-on-one defending, which is crucial as a full-back,” Wright told evertonfc.com.

“He’s also spent time with me on the offensive side of my game, on knowing when to add numbers to the attack. That is another vital part of playing the position in the modern game.

“The result of that work is that I am winning my individual battles and contributing more in the attacking phases.

“There is still a very long way to go. I can play on either side of defence but my right foot is stronger, so I am trying to strengthen the left all the time.

“And Leighton has been helping me with my crossing, in terms of delivery and decision making.

“As a team, we had a couple of results go against us at the start of the month but responded quite well in the past two matches.

“Now we want to convert those draws into a win against Sunderland to set up a strong finish to the season and secure that top-half spot.”

Wright draws personal encouragement for the longer term from seeing the road travelled by Academy predecessors such as Jonjoe Kenny, Tom Davies and Anthony Gordon.

The case of Kenny, the 25-year-old full-back with 63 First-Team appearances, is especially pertinent.

Kenny has switched to a position on the left of defence of late and is a regular member of manager Frank Lampard’s squad following a debut as a 19-year-old in May 2016.

“Jonjoe joined Everton when he was nine and was dedicated all the way through and got his rewards with First-Team recognition,” said Wright.

“You see his attitude in the way he plays. He looks like he enjoys defending and tackling and working hard but he also has the other side, where he can get forwards and join in the attacking play and deliver good crosses.

“I have loved every minute of my time here and all the coaches have been brilliant with me. I have taken so much from every one of them.

“There is a big focus on your character, too, on being respectful and humble and never getting ahead of yourself.

“I’d love to follow the likes of Jonjoe and Tom and reach the First Team, of course, but my immediate target is to earn a professional deal with Everton.”