Everton boss Frank Lampard has talked up Tom Davies amid links with Rangers - but offered the midfielder no promises about game time for the remainder of the Premier League campaign.
Michael Beale has spoken openly about his admiration for the 24-year-old amid speculation over a move to the Scottish Premiership, having caught the eye of the boss during his time in the Liverpool academy while coming through the ranks at Goodison Park. Davies is out of contract at the end of the campaign and has been hampered by injury since Lampard's arrival at the club, putting him on the fringes of the Everton squad and making just 10 appearances this term.
The boyhood Toffees fan has spoken openly about his need to for game time to progress his career, telling The Athletic earlier this season: “I love the club and the city but ultimately I want to play games, whether that be at Everton or somewhere else. If I’m not going to get that here, it’s something I’m going to have to think about.”
Lampard has insisted he remains a huge fan of Davies despite his limited minutes on the pitch. However, admitted the England U21 international "wants to play" at this stage in his career.
Speaking ahead of the clash with Southampton, he said: "I've got a really good relationship with Davo, I think he is a fantastic lad. When I came in he was injured, a difficult injury at the back end of last season.
"He's got a deep care for the club because of coming through here and being local so it's a constant conversation between me and him, and the club obviously, but in terms of him being part of the squad this year then yeah, he is fully involved and he is a really good footballer. He is probably at a stage himself where he will go he wants to play, and I get that, at his age, it's really important he plays.
"So I respect him, I respect where his contract is at but he knows I like him. I think we haven't really got further than that but I will certainly be sitting down and keep talking to him throughout the season."
Davies faces a tough call this month. He must decide if he wants to stick it out in the Premier League and hope from a change of heart from Lampard, or take a chance elsewhere with Rangers waiting in the wings.
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