Mason is a Hol lot happier

MASON HOLGATE admits struggling for a first-team place during his early days at Everton transformed him into a better player.

Holgate, 23, signed a new five-year contract in March after becoming a regular under boss Carlo Ancelotti.

The defender (above) moved to Everton from Barnsley in 2015, but only played six games for the Blues last term and spent the second-half of the season on loan at West Brom.

But he has become a mainstay this campaign and said: “My early years at Everton were hard as I’d come in for a few games, play well, drop off for a game, then I was out of the team.

“The loan taught me how to play every week. Now, if I’ve had a game where I’ve not done well, I just try to put it right next time.”

Portugal midfielder Andre Gomes is set to be fit for Everton’s clash with Liverpool on Sunday.

Gomes picked up a minor knock in training, but Ancelotti said: “Andre is training and no problem for Sunday.”