Everton boss David Moyes feels Jack Rodwell is now on track with his development.

Moyes feels Rodwell - who has been linked with Manchester United and Chelsea since breaking into the ­Everton side - is proving that it is possible to grow up in public.

And he reckons that experience will help the England under 21 star take his game to ­another level.

Moyes said: "Jack's showing signs of stepping up again.

"He has been competitive, he's more mature and realising that he's not a young boy anymore.

"He's still a young player and he's still developing but to have played 100 games is great. There are signs of someone who is maturing a bit more and looking that bit more ­experience. I've seen indications that he has become a bit stronger in himself. He is more ­demanding.

"We've always looked after Jack with kid gloves but the gloves are off with him now.

"We are demanding much more of him ­because he isn't that young boy anymore.

"You will accept young boys making mistakes because they're young and that will happen.

"But Jack now has to perform like a senior player and be a regular first-team player which he's getting much closer to being now."