By STEVE BATES

MASON HOLGATE is beefing up – to stop being bullied by opposition strikers.

The Everton star, 24, is maturing into a speedy and aggressive defender, having recently passed a century of games for the club.

But Holgate has revealed he needed to start eating more and gaining weight to match up to physical strikers who like pushing defenders around.

He said: “I knew I needed to be bigger and stronger to play centre-back. Some of the players are big – like Christian Benteke when we played Crystal Palace last week.

“A lot of it comes naturally,

I’m getting older and it is easier to bulk up.

“I have grown into my body and it is helping me because

I can play centre-back and not feel I am being bullied.

“My diet? I never used to eat too much, I just picked at food and didn’t eat a lot. I might have had food and then forgotten to eat for the rest of the day. “But I spoke to the nutritionist at the club and he said I had to get more meals in. So I am making sure I am doing that, eating properly and getting enough food in. That’s helping me to get bigger.” Holgate’s dedication to improving has impressed Carlo Ancelotti and his son Davide, a first-team coach at Goodison – but the respect is mutual. “Everything is clear on what he wants and that makes it much easier to go out and do it,” added Holgate. “It’s a relaxed environment, which makes it easier to go out and perform. “We know our jobs and Carlo is an honest man. You can’t ask for much more from a manager. He is good to be around and to play for.

“Davide, his son, is also a very good coach, unbelievable to be honest, one of the best I have worked with.”

HUNGER GAINS: Mason Holgate is beefing up