Steve Evans has spoken highly of Under-21s captain Lewie Coyle, saying the young full-back would have been involved at Wycombe on Friday night if it wasn’t for suspension.

Coyle is currently serving a three-match ban following a straight red card in the U21s’ recent defeat away to Watford.

Even though Friday’s fixture at Adams Park is a friendly, FA rulings mean the 20-year-old will be unable to feature under the terms of his suspension.

Coyle, who signed a new one-year deal with United back in the summer, has caught Evans’ eye following the head coach’s arrival from Rotherham last month.

“We’d have loved to have played young Coyley, he’d have certainly played a part (at Wycombe),” Evans said.

“I love that boy and he’s got a real chance, but he’s suspended and the FA advised us that we can’t involve him at Wycombe, otherwise he would have been.

“His time will come. In the short term we need to get him playing men’s football from Under-21s – there’s  a world of difference when three points are at stake.

“We need to get him playing football. Whether that’s sending him out for a little while... We’re looking at all the options now.

“He’s training with the first team every day now and in two-and-a-half to three weeks, I’ve seen him get much, much better. And I mean significantly better.”