Bohemians manager Aaron Callaghan claims Everton have expressed an interest in teenage defender Kevin Feely.

The 19-year-old has made 19 appearances in the League of Ireland having previously played at minor inter-county level for Kildare.

"There is definite interest there from Everton," Callaghan told Ireland's Evening Herald newspaper.

"It's just a matter of what they do with it, but they are keen on Kevin.

"[Everton] are not the only ones interested. Charlton had Kevin over for four days and while he didn't play in a match when he was there he impressed in training and they'd like to have a second look.

"I would hate to lose Kevin but if we were able to sell him and bring in some finance for the club it would be positive all round as he really wants to further his career."

Current Toffees defender Seamus Coleman admits he has been closely watching team-mate Leighton Baines in order to learn as much as he can from the England international as he tries to regain a first-team spot.

Left-back Baines may play on the opposite flank but Coleman, who due to David Moyes' stretched resources has been deployed in midfield for the last couple of years, believes he is the ideal role model.

"Right-back is where I've played all my life other than the last two seasons," he told evertonfc.com.

"When I'm not playing games I am watching and I watch Bainesy and try and learn from him.

"For me, he is the best left-back in England and if asked to play full-back, if I could do half as good a job as him that would be great.

"I've been in and around the squad now for a couple of years and I maybe haven't had as many games as I would have liked.

"But breaking into the team at Everton is hard, especially the way we are playing at the minute.

"I really enjoy right-back so hopefully I can do a job there when asked to fill-in but I will also be happy on the right of midfield if there is an opportunity."

PA