Mariners could loan Everton keeper

The Central Coast Mariners are hoping to complete a loan deal for a young goalkeeper from Everton to replace the departing Liam Reddy.

The A-League outfit formed an official player development partnership earlier this year with the English Premier League club, and Mariners coach Tony Walmsley is hopeful of finally tapping into it.

Reddy is reportedly set to be released by Central Coast, with a payout currently being negotiated, after the veteran shotstopper's recent run-ins with Walmsley and his coaching staff over the team's new, near-kamikaze commitment to attacking football.

Walmsley was unable to comment on Reddy's situation, saying it was still with the "powers that be" - but he did reveal the club's Merseyside links could be about to produce their first tangible benefit.

"There's a couple of keepers that they've got, both international players, both first-team squad members at Everton," he said.

"For those guys, they're young players, to come in with Paul Izzo and be competing for that number one jersey would be fantastic for everyone.

"Paul's looking at an Olympic qualification year, they're looking at forcing their way into Everton's first team.

"For me, having that level of competition for places is fantastic, but it's not a done deal - that's why I'd rather keep (their names) under wraps."

Walmsley said the Mariners needed to sort through some "legalities" with FFA for any loan deal to become a reality.

With only four visa players on their books, there should be scope for Central Coast to bring in another foreign player.

"It's good for me to be able to say publicly, to the fans, that that partnership's up and running," Walmsley said.

"It's delivering something to us, we just now need to work it through with the FFA and try and convert that to reality."

Earlier this year, Everton coach Roberto Martinez spoke glowingly about the partnership, saying the club would benefit from being able to send young British players to another English-speaking country.

The only other A-League team currently with a foreign goalkeeper is Melbourne City, who somewhat controversially signed former Premier League stalwart Thomas Sorensen, 39, on a two-year deal.