Carlo Ancelotti says Everton's clash with West Ham United on Saturday could potentially provide a platform for Moise Kean to “show his quality” after Richarlison was ruled out of the Blues' visit to London.

Striker Kean joined Everton from Juventus last summer and has started three Premier League matches – most recently in last month’s victory at Newcastle United.

The 19-year-old, capped three times by Italy, came off the bench in subsequent games against Manchester City and Liverpool but was an unused substitute when Everton beat Brighton & Hove Albion last week.

Brazilian Richarlison scored the only goal of that victory but was unable to shake off a knee injury sustained in the same game in time to face West Ham.

Manager Ancelotti is optimistic over Richarlison’s chances of being fit for Newcastle's visit to Goodison Park on Tuesday.

In the meantime, however, the Italian is prepared to place his faith in countryman Kean.

“It is true Richarlison is very important for us but it can be an opportunity for Moise Kean to show his quality,” said Ancelotti.

“I have never been worried about a player who cannot play. You have to be focussed on the players who can play.

“I have total confidence in Moise Kean.

“He is a young player with a lot of quality, physical, a lot of skills, really good in the box.

“But he is only 19 and it is not easy being in a new league.

“We have to be patient, give him minutes but not expect him to score goals.

“He had a good game against Newcastle, in my opinion.

“He has to repeat that performance [against West Ham].”

Kean has featured in 20 matches for Everton and added two Carabao Cup starts to his three in the league.

Joint top-scorer Richarlison, meanwhile, is Everton’s only outfield ever present this term, starting all 27 games across three competitions and contributing 10 goals.

“Unfortunately, Richarlison had a little knock in the last game against Brighton,” explained Ancelotti.

“He was off [the pitch] for some minutes.

“We tried to recover him – he trained yesterday [Thursday] but felt some pain and I prefer to not take a risk with him.

“He will stay here to work with the physio and try to be ready for the next game [against Newcastle].”

Richarlison’s fellow Brazilian Bernard returned from his own short spell out of the team to deliver a swashbuckling display in Everton’s victory over Brighton.

It was a second start under Ancelotti for Bernard – who played from the beginning of Everton’s Boxing Day success against Burnley – and ninth in the top-flight this term.

“He has quality, he is able to play between lines,” explained Ancelotti.

“I ask wingers to play between the lines, not only on the wing.

“He had a good game [against Brighton], he showed good quality, he has skills – and we need skills in the squad.

“I hope he can repeat that performance on Saturday.”

Ancelotti opened his Everton reign with that win over Burnley after taking over from caretaker Duncan Ferguson.

Former striker Ferguson claimed five points from his three Premier League games in charge and is now a prominent figure on the new boss's staff.

“We talk a lot about football, about players,” said Ancelotti.

“He has his own ideas, a lot of charisma in front of the players.

“He understands the philosophy of the Club and is important because together we decide a lot of things: how we train, the style of training, what kind of session we’ll do.

“It is good for me to know the thoughts of people working with me and he has good football knowledge.”

Ancelotti was also quizzed on potential incomings less than a fortnight before the January transfer window closes.

He added: “If there is a possibility to sign new players to improve the squad, everyone is agreed, the Club is ready to do that.

“We have to take care of this [financial] aspect, but if there is any possibility to sign new players… [it is] no problem.”