Harrison Armstrong’s extraordinary season took another twist as Sean Dyche turned to him at half-time against Bournemouth.

The 17-year-old was preferred over Jack Harrison and Beto as the Blues boss looked to change his attacking line-up with the game goalless on the south coast. It was the first significant taste of Premier League football for the 17-year-old, who is being courted by a host of teams this month.

Armstrong had long been identified as a player of potential within the Everton academy setup, which he joined as a schoolboy. But his rise was propelled over the summer as Sean Dyche promoted him to the first team squad after being impressed in training.

READ MORE: Friedkin Group in Everton situation they desperately hoped to avoid as Sean Dyche pressure mounts

READ MORE: I can forgive boring displays - but what Everton did at Bournemouth was embarrassing

Armstrong earned minutes amid an injury crisis in pre-season, featuring off the bench at the likes of Salford City and Preston North End. The box-to-box midfielder has since remained with the first team, becoming a regular in the matchday squad in between stints with the Under-21s.

A dream season included a Premier League debut in the final minutes at Tottenham Hotspur in August and a first start in the Carabao Cup game against Southampton.

“We think Harrison's done well and he showed really strong signs in what he's been doing”, Dyche said after the defeat at the Vitality Stadium. As tough a game as it was to be introduced in, it represented a significant vote of confidence in the teenager, who was selected over experienced teammates as his manager sought to halt the hosts’ domination.

Armstrong was eventually moved further back into central midfield as Everton sought ways to improve before falling to a late David Brooks goal. Despite the result the opportunity represented more vital experience for a youngster who has attracted interest from the Championship and League One.

His star has risen by the impact he has had when dropping back down the age groups to help the club. He scored for Everton U21s against Accrington Stanley’s senior side in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy and bagged a hat-trick at Goodison Park for the U18s in the FA Youth Cup against Nottingham Forest last month.

His progress has also been recognised by England, with the midfielder selected for the U18s this season. “He was a standout player with bags of ability, desire and passion”, former head of academy recruitment Martin Waldron told the ECHO after his first senior appearance back in the summer. “And most of all, he is a born winner.”

Everton signed Armstrong to a new three year deal in the summer, Director of Football, Kevin Thelwell, commenting: “This contract is just reward for Harrison's hard work and progress at Everton. He’s been a part of this club for 13 years and has developed through the age groups. We look forward to seeing him continue his journey under the guidance of our excellent academy staff at Finch Farm.”

Instead it has been the first team coaches Armstrong has been working with, with the next question being whether the club will allow him to develop his experience on loan for the rest of this season or seek for him to push for more opportunities in the Premier League with the likes of Tim Iroegbunam and James Garner hoping to return from injury.