PHIL Parkinson is keeping his fingers crossed that no other Championship club test Everton with a bid for Joe Williams.

The midfielder was close to moving to Bristol City earlier this month when the Robins agreed a £1million deal with his parent club.

Williams then picked up a thigh tendon injury which will keep him out until February – forcing Bristol City to look elsewhere, and eventually loaning Kasey Palmer from Chelsea.

Asked if he thought the 22-year-old would remain with Bollton, Parkinson said: “Hopefully, yes. He has got injured, which is a shame for us, so we’re waiting on his return. But we’ve got an agreement that he’s with us until the end of the season so unless Everton recall him, he’s with us.”

Wanderers were beaten 2-1 at Ashton Gate, the game being turned on its head after Will Buckley’s opener. Sub Matt Taylor grabbed an equaliser within six minutes – prompting questions about Ben Alnwick’s goalkeeping at his near post.

“Ben has been outstanding for us this season,” Parkinson said. “The lad has turned and hit it and the ball went through Sammy Ameobi’s legs, so I think he was slightly unsighted.

“But Ben knows he should have done better.”