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Mason Holgate has been told by Everton he can go out on loan in January.

The England Under-21 defender only signed a new five-year deal with the Toffees a year ago.

But he has not featured for Everton since September and is behind Michael Keane, Kurt Zouma and Yerry Mina in the central defensive pecking order, and Seamus Coleman at right-back.

Everton director of football Marcel Brands has already received significant interest in Holgate from Premier League and Championship clubs, ahead of the window opening next month.

Holgate, 22, is set to go out on loan for the second half of the season, with a view to returning to Goodison Park in the summer.

(Image: Alex Livesey) (Image: Serena Taylor)

The Doncaster-born defender's struggles this term are in stark contrast to the previous two seasons, during which he made 21 appearances in each.

Meanwhile, Marco Silva has backed Richarlison to deliver in Monday night's meeting with both his and his manager's former club Watford.

“He’s a player who needs to score, a striker who I think needs to score often to keep his confidence high,” said Silva.

“Of course, he already scored seven, he didn’t play in two games after the red card (against Bournemouth in August). So I think that’s seven goals in 13 games. It’s a good number.

“He can do better, I’ve no doubts about that, because he has the quality to do better. He’s working to improve as well. And I’m happy with him, of course.”