Frank Lampard has urged his Everton team to “show personality” in Wednesday night’s Premier League clash at Newcastle United (7.30pm BST).

Lampard is expecting an electric atmosphere at St James’ Park but says his players must embrace the occasion against Eddie Howe’s side, who currently sit sixth in the table.

Victory for Everton would take them to within two points of the Magpies and Lampard believes the Blues boast the strength of character to quickly recover from the disappointment of defeats to Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference at Finch Farm, Lampard said: “The players have to be robust and keep their confidence.

“We are stronger than we were last season. We’re different.

“At the moment, with the feeling we have, I don’t think we’ll be disrupted by the two defeats. Behind closed doors, can we analyse those games and be better? For sure. But we have to have belief in ourselves.

“Newcastle are a robust, hard-working team and I always admire those attributes in a team. We feel we have those [qualities] as well.

“We know we are steps behind of where they are, but there is a level of optimism around here because people see little shoots of improvement.

“This will be very tough match in front of us. It’s an evening game in front of a tough crowd.

“There will always be a big atmosphere, so let’s show some personality there.”

Summer signing Amadou Onana has started each of Everton’s past seven Premier League matches and Lampard says the midfielder has already become a “very important player” for his team.

The Toffees boss revealed his excitement about the 21-year-old’s potential.

“Amadou’s a really talented boy and we’re delighted to have him here,” Lampard said. “I think there’s a lot more to come.

“From my early conversations with him, it was clear he has a very big personality and is a very driven young man.

“I’ve played alongside and worked with those type of players before.

“When I was at Chelsea, Kevin de Bruyne was around 21 and Romelu Lukaku was of a similar age – I’ve picked out those two because they are also Belgian – and you look at what they have done in their careers, and I hope Amadou will have his version of that.

“There are things he can learn about how he directs all that energy and talent he has. It’s my job to work closely with him on that.

“From what we’ve seen on the pitch so far, hopefully that’s just the start, because I have a huge amount of belief in him.”

Onana was one of eight Everton acquisitions during the summer transfer window and Lampard explained how his team is still developing.

“Every game tells you something, particularly when you’re in the early stages of building,” he added.

“Our midfield is new, sometimes the frontline has looked new, and there are a lot of things that are coming together.

“All these things are part of our process. It’s important for us to be very balanced about it. We knew we were coming into a tough run of games, but it’s about how we can apply ourselves best.

“Against Tottenham, a lot of the game plan and tactical nature of the team was spot on, until they get that goal and change the face of the game.

“We’ve come steps in the right direction, but there is never time for complacency because there is a lot of work to do.”