Marco Silva has confidence in Mason Holgate heading up Everton’s defence.
Holgate recorded his first goal for the Blues in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup win over Watford, which came just three days after an assist in their defeat to Brighton.
The 23-year-old could be called upon again for Tottenham’s visit to Goodison Park on Sunday with Yerry Mina currently a doubt for the Premier League clash.
Everton failed to land another central defender in the summer transfer window after failing to secure a permanent deal for ex-loanee Kurt Zouma from Chelsea.
But Silva insists that he has full faith in his existing options, including Holgate.
He said: “I think everyone understands we were looking for another central defender because we, like all the clubs in the world, normally prepare for a season with four.
“If you have just three and try to sign a fourth one is a normal thing. It’s not beacuse we didn’t have the confidence in Yerry or in Michael (Keane), or in Mason.
“It’s full confidence in all three but we need four. Mason knows how I believe in him since last season, not just this season.
“He’s a young player who wants to play more every time because we decided for him to go on loan last season and he’s again here, ready to fight ready to play in our team.
“He played well, not just [in] the Brighton and Watford games but even the two Carabao Cup games before that. Let’s see how he continues.
“I’m 100 per cent sure he’ll keep working hard to improve because he has many things to improve, like with Michael and Mina.”