Nikola Vlasic has become ‘frustrated’ by his debut season at Everton.
Vlasic sealed an £8 million move to the Blues but has made just 17 outings with his most recent coming in last weekend’s draw with Swansea City.
Five of those appearances for the Croatia international, 20, have come since Sam Allardyce arrived in the Goodison Park hot seat nearly five months ago.
And the Everton manager admits that Vlasic has struggled to come to terms with a lack of regular opportunities since moving from Hajduk Split.
“He’s found it very difficult because he’s used to playing,” said Allardyce.
“He’s frustrated but he’s only a young man.”
Allardyce has also revealed that Everton face a dilemma on the futures of several young players that are currently plying their trade on loan.
Among them are Ademola Lookman, Kieran Dowell and Matthew Pennington, who have all caught the eye during their time away from Goodison.
He said: “Lookman has gone out on loan and there’s a couple of lads at Leeds and Forest.
“They’ve got to come back in pre-season and we’ve got to ask: ‘Are they good enough to be in our squad?’
“They have gone away on loan and have got to return a force at their Premier League club.
“They will come back at the start of pre-season and make an impact on this squad and say ‘I’m ready to challenge this first-team squad’ and if they are, that’s fantastic.
“But if they’re not then should we move them on, should we sell them, should we send them out on loan again?
“There are lots and lots of decisions to be made from the 20, 21-year-olds all the way up to the senior squad members.”