Jonjoe Kenny has revealed the steps which have helped him seamlessly slot into the Everton back four.

The Academy graduate has performed admirably at right-back in the absence of Seamus Coleman, who suffered a foot injury while on international duty with the Republic of Ireland.

Kenny has played 90 minutes in each of the Blues' past four matches, producing a series of accomplished defensive displays while offering a key attacking outlet.

Boss Marco Silva revealed last week that Kenny’s ceaseless work ethic has been evident ever since his first day as manager.

“He is always open to learn,” the Portuguese explained. “And maybe because of that, he is able to play well when he has the chance.”

Speaking to evertonfc.com, Kenny detailed how he used his spell out of the side to develop specific aspects of his game, working tirelessly on the training pitch to ensure – when his chance did come to impress – he was ready to seize it.

“I got told by a lot of ex-professionals, ‘While you are not playing, work on stuff you need to work on’,” he said.

“That is what I tried to do. I tried to do bits of crossing, keep myself fit and healthy and look after myself. Because when the games come, if you do get in, it is tough to be doing that.”

Kenny’s determination to get match-hardened extended to requesting a run out for David Unsworth’s Under-23s side.

The Kirkdale-born defender played the full game as a dominant young Blues were held to a 0-0 with Swansea on 25 August.

Kenny went on to impress in his first senior appearance of the season just four days later, as Everton beat Rotherham United 3-1.

“I asked to play for the '23s, to get some minutes, and I spoke with the manager [Marco Silva],” Kenny explained.

“I was not going to go into the Under-23 team and take it easy - I wanted to get out there and get as much as I could in the bank.

“And it was a good job I did because I played on the Saturday then played on Wednesday. I think that Saturday game helped me physically.

“Match fitness is completely different from doing hard work and running in training. Anyone can go and run in training. It is when stuff happens, little knock downs, slide tackles, it is quite tiring, so I felt I needed it.

“Unsy was happy with me playing and so was the manager. I was grateful for that.”

Kenny, an Under-20 World Cup winner with England, has now racked up 31 first-team appearances for the Blues.

His latest came as Everton fell to an agonising penalty shootout defeat to Southampton in the Carabao Cup.

Kenny described the manner of the defeat as “devastating” but is convinced the squad boast the talent and mental strength to hit back at Leicester City on Saturday and secure back-to-back Premier League victories.

“We’ve got to dust ourselves off now and go again on Saturday,” he said. “We need to get a positive result.

“We had a great result and good performance against Fulham, the Southampton game was not to be, but we have the quality to get the three points against Leicester.”