Everton boss Frank Lampard has hinted that Donny van de Beek will have a more prominent role to play in his side going forward after starting on the bench against Newcastle.
Van de Beek has become accustomed to starting games on the bench for Manchester United but after joining the Toffees on loan he was expected to get more regular first-team football.
The 24-year-old was only a substitute at St James' Park, however, but Lampard felt Van de Beek had some influence on the game when he came on with half an hour to go and Everton 2-1 behind.
Fellow Everton loanee Dele Alli came on for the injured Demarai Gray in the first half, with Lampard explaining the two new arrivals were left out after his side had beaten Brentford 4-1 in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday.
Van de Beek hasn't started a Premier League game since the end of last season, but Lampard is confident the Holland international will improve to play a bigger role as the season progresses, with Everton's 3-1 defeat in the north east dragging them further into a relegation scrap.
"I thought there were moments in the game where they both had good moments," Lampard said of Dele and Van de Beek.
"Donny came on in a difficult time of the game, let's be honest, and made us tick a bit. He's only going to get better and I knew that with Donny.
"Him not starting tonight was more of a reflection of the performance on Saturday, but he will be integral for us through this season to get us to where we want to be in terms of performance and result.
"With Dele, again there were some nice bits, but we're asking a lot to expect him to hit the ground running.
"There are some moments, little penetrating runs where he nearly gets in and some of his link-up play, and hopefully his relationship with the rest of the team will take a bit of time.
"You see Newcastle brought new players into the squad, keep them on the bench and they bring them on late in the game because sometimes you need to keep a bit of continuity for everybody's sake.
"Dele and Donny will get better and better."
