Use your head and sign up now for the Everton FC newsletter Sign up now Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Tom Davies wants the chance to help fill the breach in Everton’s midfield following the departure of Idrissa Gueye.

Davies made his first start of the season – and only the second of his senior career – in Monday’s 3-0 Premier League win over Southampton at Goodison.

While the 18-year-old featured alongside Gueye, the Senegal international has now departed for the African Cup of Nations and could be missing from Ronald Koeman’s side for up to a month.

And of being given a chance to shine in Gueye’s absence, Davies said: “Hopefully, yeah.

“Idrissa will be missed with him going away but that leaves a space for me.

“If I can get a few more opportunities and show everyone how good I can be, that is something I will thrive on doing.”

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

Davies broke into the Everton first team towards the end of last season but was restricted to three substitute outings this campaign until impressive showings from the bench over Christmas at Leicester City and Hull City earned him a starting role on Monday.

And the youngster believes that time on the sidelines has aided his development.

“I wouldn’t say it has been difficult,” he said. “It has been good for me to learn because I don’t feel that I was up to it at the start of the season but training with them and learning from all the lads has helped me.

“I feel that in the few games I’ve come on in that I’ve learned a lot as well. That has been a part of my development. I feel like I’m ready now to help the team out.

“The manager has always spoken to me, as well as his assistant. They are working me really well, David Unsworth with the under-23s too.

“They have always said ‘just be patient and your chance will come’. That is what I’ve been trying to do.”

Davies registered his first assist towards the end of Monday’s game when finding Romelu Lukaku for Everton’s third.

And he said: “Leighton has won the ball back on the left and it has broken for me nicely.

“I saw Rom pull off his defender, I’ve just passed him the ball really and he has done the rest.

“I have a lot to thank him for. It was a great moment for me to get my first assist.”

Gueye has been a regular in the Everton midfield this season alongside veteran Gareth Barry, who Davies has cited as an influence.

“He is really helpful,” said the youngster. “He is always giving me bits of advice and he helps me out a lot in training.

“He gives me advice on things I can learn from and things I should be doing. It is good to have him.”

Liverpool-born Davies was helped through the game on Monday by another Academy graduate, Ross Barkley, who is aware of the unique demands on a local-born talent.

But Davies said: “I don’t feel as though it is a pressure, I feel it is like them wanting me to do well.

“Any time you do something in the game you can always hear them behind you. I think for me and Ross it is an absolute pleasure to play in front of your home club.

“Is it tougher for young lads? Yeah, I think so but we all want to be doing it so it is something you just have to deal with. It is part of the game.

“When the fans react in the way they have with me it is brilliant. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

While injuries to James McCarthy and Mo Besic have opened the door in midfield, Everton’s continued pursuit of Manchester United’s Morgan Schneiderlin suggests Davies will face a battle for continued first-team involvement.

However, he is unruffled by the prospect of any arrivals this month.

“I think any competition is really good for the whole squad,” said Davies.

“Whoever they bring in I will just keep doing what I’m doing and hopefully I can stand out in training and in games so I keep my place.”