Frank Lampard expects Nathan Patterson to take his Everton debut disappointment "on the chin" - but promised he'll do all he can to help the youngster.
The former Rangers right-back was hooked at half-time on his first appearance for the Toffees in an FA Cup victory over Boreham Wood.
Lampard later insisted Patterson hadn't fulfilled a key role in breaking lines through the National League minnows and he was replaced by ex- Celtic loanee Jonjoe Kenny.
The Everton manager understands it's a sore one for the 20-year-old international on a huge occasion in his career but urged him to keep working hard.
Lampard said: "In my role unfortunately you have to make decisions. Sometimes they're not emotional, they're practical and it was absolutely practical to have to change - and Nathan was the choice.
"I thought he did OK in the game. I was pleased for him to have his debut. We brought him in for a reason and what Nathan will feel from myself and the staff is a real engagement and desire to work with him.
"He's a young player, who's a developing player still, and he will feel our support of how we want him to play and how we want him to develop.
"Things like that happen at that stage of your career, whoever you are. As a younger player you have to take something like this on the chin and understand that this is high-level, and keep working and that's all he has to do."
