Everton are now reliant on the decisions of others over whether the club’s academy will play in a prestigious European competition next season.

The club’s Under-21s drew with Birmingham City on Friday, defender Luca Davis grabbing a late equaliser in the penultimate game of the Premier League 2 campaign.

It was a result that confirmed Everton would not automatically qualify for the Premier League International Cup next season, a tournament that has provided solid experience for the club’s youngsters in recent years. They could still find a route into that tournament, but only if others drop out.

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The point in the Midlands left Everton U21s 18th in the table with just one game to play, against Ipswich Town at Goodison Park later this month. The two teams directly above them, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough, are still to face each other, meaning it is now impossible for Everton to finish inside the top 16 of the 29-team league.

That is significant because it means Everton will not be part of the top tier...