Everton defender Nathan Patterson is confident he's in the plans of manager Frank Lampard.

Patterson can understand why Toffees boss Lampard was reluctant to pitch him in when he first took charge at Goodison.

He said: “We've had a good few chats. He was always making sure I was ready.

“He didn't want to throw me in at the deep end with the situation the club was in. It was important we got as many points as we could to stay up.

“So he wanted to make sure I was ready and then when I was ready, I got injured.

“It's unfortunate, but it happens and I look forward to pre-season.

“The gaffer likes young players and wants to develop young players. He wants a young squad, so I'll make sure when I go back for pre-season I hit the ground running and give him something to think about."