Sean Steur was afforded just nine minutes on a night in which many would have called for him to start - is he now in for a long hard winter?

Newcastle United youngster Sean Steur's expression summed it up as he left the Hill Dickinson Stadium last night.

Sent on with nine minutes to go and the game all but over, the young Dutchman still managed to make nine passes and had nine touches as he joined the action in Newcastle's best spell of the game. As Newcastle pulled a goal back through Dan Burn, the Magpies were starting to pose questions of the Everton defence, albeit against a Toffees side that had taken their foot off the gas.

Had Steur been introduced earlier, dare I say it even half-time, his energy and determination could have made the difference. Certainly the travelling army of almost 8,000 fans had been waiting for the 18-year-old to make his mark.

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Steur's arrival in the closing stages was greeted with ironic cheers from the Geordie faithful who remain baffled by his absence. Since the 2-1 win over Hull, he has been restricted to a couple of cameos and has been an unused sub twice.

The teen has arguably been the most impressive of all the summer signings for Newcastle, with the kid from Ajax adjusting quickly to life on Tyneside. Matthias Jaissle had opted to go with seniority ahead of youth, for all the mutterings about having a young squad. as he started Jacob Ramsey as the second holding midfielder.

Nico Gonzalez appears to be undroppable but in fairness it would be a huge call to axe the man who cost £50m for Man City. He didn't come here to sit on the bench after all. But Steur seems to be the fall guy all to often and it will be interesting to see what Jaissle does against Everton.

Jaissle's reasoning for not playing Steur aren't always convincing, other than the fact he is young and less likely to kick up a fuss when left out. He said earlier this month: "First of all, we're all sure, the whole club, the whole coaching staff, and I think also the players, of what great potential Sean has.

"He showed that already. He showed also, like many other lads, that there are ups and downs already here in the season.

"But this is normal and something we were aware of beforehand. Now it's time for him to get that confidence and maturity, as a player who didn't have that experience in the Premier League, through the training sessions and training weeks."

If he wants energy, bite and determination in his side, look no further that Steur. But with Joelinton, Gonzalez and Ramsey all ahead of him in the pecking order, another stint as substitute probably awaits.

No wonder Steur looked brassed off as he left Everton's plush stadium because a big door had closed behind him in terms of a competition which could have offered him extra game-time.

He may now have to wait for bits and pieces in the Premier League until FA Cup third round day, pending on the quality of opponents in January.