Walsall sign Everton's Matthew Pennington on loan

Walsall have signed Everton defender Matthew Pennington on loan until the end of the season.

The 21-year-old, who spent part of last season in League One with Coventry City, can play at right-back or in the centre of defence and provides the Saddlers with added cover ahead of the end-of-season run-in.

While at Coventry, Pennington made 25 appearances and won the club's young player of the year prize.

He signed a new, three-year deal at Everton in the summer and has appeared twice for the Toffees this season in cup competitions.

"I know a lot about him and I remember watching him when he played against us for Tranmere," said interim head coach Jon Whitney.

"He's always someone who Everton have thought highly of. It'll be his third loan and we've done a lot of profiling on him.

"I've got friends at Everton who know him and he comes really highly recommended. We've fought off quite a few clubs to get him which is great for us.

"The position we're in has enabled us to get a player of his calibre. He'll bolster our defence and gives us a bit more reassurance going into this nine-game run."