Everton defender Mason Holgate admits he's never felt as confident as he does now under manager Frank Lampard.

The 25-year-old has enjoyed a sustained run in the starting XI since Lampard's arrival at Goodison Park, playing every minute of the first five matches under his tenure.

And in doing so worries about his future at Goodison Park beyond this season have been laid to rest.

Speaking with Everton's matchday programme ahead of the FA Cup tie with non-league Boreham Wood, Holgate said: “To be honest, I've not felt that level of confidence in me for a long time.

“I would never criticise anyone who has been here before, they worked hard and made the decisions they thought were best for the team.

“But it goes back to those big parts of my time here when I've gone into games thinking, 'If I don't get a clean sheet or play out of my skin, I won't play next week'.

“It's been a bit more relaxed with this manager, I can play my game, and, hopefully, keep doing well for the team.

“I feel I have had more support to show what I can do – and consistently playing games in my position is a huge help because I can get settled and know what I am doing.

“It is clear we are playing out a bit more and that is more geared up to my style of playing.

“You want the confidence to know you can play – if you make a mistake, you know he won't think, 'That's it, he's not good enough to do this'.

“To have a manager who believes in you, and if you make a mistake, says, 'Keep going, keep going', rather than, 'Don't do that', is a breath of fresh air and gives us the confidence to try things."