Marco Silva says Tom Davies is “fighting every day” to force his way into Everton’s starting XI.

Academy graduate Davies could potentially be in line for his 50th Premier League start when the Blues host Watford on Saturday.

The 21-year-old came on against Crystal Palace last weekend to beef up Everton’s midfield following a late red card for Morgan Schneiderlin.

Davies, who signed a fresh four-year Goodison Park contract back in April, played 19 games in all competitions under Silva last term and captained the team six times.

Silva is without the suspended Schneiderlin for Watford’s visit. Everton are also missing Fabian Delph, whose debut is on hold following a thigh injury sustained in pre-season.

Andre Gomes, meanwhile, hurt an ankle in the scoreless draw with Palace and will be assessed before kick-off this weekend.

“Every time Tom gets his chance, I want him to show me he is ready – and that is what he is showing right now,” Silva told evertontv.

“I want him fighting like he is every day to play in our starting XI.

“And I am 100 per cent sure, if I decide [to start Davies against Watford] he will be able to help the team, like he did in some important moments last season.

“Not in as many games as he wanted – I know that – but he helped the team.

“He needs to keep competing with his teammates and then it is my decision.

“Last week he came on for 10 or 15 minutes – but in a difficult situation for the team.

“We had lost a little bit of control of the match but even with 10 players Tom came on and settled and helped the team.

“We are talking about a really young player and he was able to do that. It was everything I wanted from him.”

A raft of Everton’s summer signings could make their Goodison bows in this weekend’s Watford clash.

Jean-Philippe Gbamin replaced Gomes against Palace and could play a part against last season’s FA Cup finalists.

Moise Kean was another who played his first football for Everton at Selhurst Park, while Alex Iwobi joined up with his new colleagues at USM Finch Farm this week following the 23-year-old's deadline day transfer from Arsenal.

And Silva is working overtime with the new boys in order to get them up to speed with Everton’s brand of football – and their roles in the side.

“It has to be that way,” said Silva.

“There is no choice. The time I have with them is important.

“If I have more time, they will be able to do the right things more quickly.

“My job is to pass them our idea and philosophy as soon as possible – and after that what they should do on the pitch. These are the main things.

“They know the main idea, the macro idea.

“Now it is up to them to show on the pitch they understand and are ready to improve – and to help our squad get better.”

On the topic of improvement, Director of Football Marcel Brands this week talked of Silva’s flair for developing players being key in Everton’s ability to recruit young talent such as teenage Italy international striker Kean.

Former Sporting Lisbon boss Silva insists it is incumbent on him to challenge and advance every player in his squad – no matter the date on their birth certificate.

“Age is not the most important thing,” added Silva.

“Last season showed that. Richarlison is really young and improving.

“But [there is the example of] what happened with Michael Keane – he showed two different faces from one season to the other.

“You have to understand the profile of your football players.

"Gylfi Sigurdsson’s performances and improvement, it was clear for me, came because he was playing in a role which better fitted his profile as a football player.

“He can play from the left – he did for Swansea City and here at Everton and at Tottenham Hotspur – but you try to get the best from the players you have in the squad.

“It is for the manager to help them get better and develop them and try to get the best from them for our club.

“If you can do it with young players – and all the others – then that is perfect. It is my job to look at all of them the same way.”