Neil Dewsnip has praised defender Jack Rodwell for the 14-year-old's performance on his Academy League debut.

The young defender was included in the starting line-up by Academy coach Dewsnip for the Under-18s league clash with Stoke on Saturday.

The Toffees suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat but Dewsnip was pleased with the display of the youngster and his teammates against a more experienced Stoke line-up.

Dewsnip told evertonfc.com: "Jack is only 14 but he handled the game very well.

"We are not afraid to promote younger players if we feel they have earned it and if we feel they can cope with the step up.

"We had to name a very young side for the game because of injuries and because we will have some players involved for the reserve on Monday night.

"We actually started the game with eight first-years in the side and with John Paul Kissock coming on as a substitute, we ended with seven first-years and two schoolboys in the side.

"I felt we coped well but the longer the game went on the more the physical difference between the two teams began to tell.

"We worked hard to the death and it was cruel to lose out because of a goal with just two minutes to go.

"Jack is a centre-half for the Under-16s normally but we felt it was appropriate to play him left-back.

"It is a great experience for all of the young lads and they will take a lot of lessons from the game."