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'I've missed it' - Everton starlet opens up on return after horror injury

SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND - JANUARY 17: Stanley Mills of Everton on the ball during the Premier League 2 match between Everton U21 and Leeds U21 at The BIG HELP Stadium on January 17, 2025 in Southport, England. (Photo by Emma Simpson/Everton FC)
-Credit:Emma Simpson/Everton FC


Everton starlet Stanley Mills said he “loved being back out there” as he played his first minutes in more than a year.

The 21-year-old started for the Blues Under-21s on Friday night as the academy side hosted Leeds United. They lost 3-1, failing to recover from a terrible start that saw them concede twice in the first eight minutes.

But it was still a positive day for Mills, who marked his return with a goal from a penalty that he won.

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It was Mills’ first outing since he was stretchered off with a severe injury while on loan at Oxford United in January of last year. He had been playing a key role in the club’s League One promotion campaign when he suffered heartbreak against Coventry City in the FA Cup third round.

It has been a long, challenging road to recovery but one he is now at the end of. Following his first competitive action since his injury, he told the club website: “I really enjoyed it. I loved being back out there and I’ve missed it. 2024 was a really tough year for me, and just to be back out on the pitch, doing what I love is amazing and long may it continue.”