Everton starlet Nikola Vlasic yet to speak with David Unsworth about game-time as Liam Walsh returns

Everton attacker Nikola Vlasic is still in the dark over his recent lack of game-time and has not spoken with caretaker manager David Unsworth about his removal from the starting line-up.

Vlasic, 20, was a £10m purchase from Croatian giants Hajduk Split in the summer and hit the ground running at Goodison Park, producing a number of impressive performances as Ronald Koeman's days in charge on Merseyside gradually came to an end.

The talented Croatian international started six matches under Koeman before being dropped by Everton interim boss Unsworth, who has seen fit to leave a number of summer signings out of his match-day squads.

Vlasic has been afforded just 20 minutes of action by Unsworth, who has overseen three defeats and one victory during his second spell as caretaker manager on Merseyside.

The young Croat has not confronted the former Everton full-back about his omission from three of the last four games, and is prepared to remain professional in the hope that he re-establishes himself in the first-team before long.

"It was good at the beginning when I came, but the coach changed," Vlasic told 24Sata, relayed by the Liverpool Echo.

"No, I haven't talked to the new coach about why I don't play. It is about professionalism: you do not play – you do not play, you're on the bench and that's it, there is no story."

It remains to be seen if Unsworth remains in charge for Everton's clash against Crystal Palace on Saturday [18 November], but Vlasic, who appeared as a late substitute for Croatia as they comprehensively defeated Greece last week, will hope he is involved in some capacity at Selhurst Park, along with fellow young starlet Liam Walsh.

The highly-rated midfielder was sent out on loan to Birmingham City at the start of the season but only managed to make three appearances for the troubled Midlands outfit, who have a rather bloated first-team squad as a result of their scattergun approach to the summer transfer window.

Walsh is held in very high esteem by Unsworth, who worked with him extensively as Under-23 boss, and the temporary Everton manager could try and integrate the 20-year-old into the first-team set-up after successfully blooding teenage midfielder Beni Baningime, who has started three of Everton's last four matches.

Walsh, whose loan with Birmingham has not technically ended yet, is expected to re-join his Under-23 colleagues at Finch Farm but he could be given an opportunity if Unsworth remains in charge and the doubts over Morgan Schneiderlin persist; the Frenchman was sent home from first-team training before the international break due to concerns over his attitude.