Frank Lampard explains formation approach against Arsenal as Everton search for a 'number six'

Frank Lampard's priorities include identifying a defensive midfielder as he attempts to strengthen Everton before the start of the new Premier League season.

The Blues boss played five at the back in the club's first pre-season game of the summer - returning to the formation that helped the side survive last year's relegation battle. Following the fixture in the US city of Baltimore he explained this approach was partly out of necessity.

In his post-match comments he detailed how he is in constant contact with director of football Kevin Thelwell about developments in the transfer market. But he also said the hunt for a traditional 'number six' - as with other positions in the squad - would include assessing options within the current squad, praising the impact of substitutes Lewis Warrington and Jean-Phillipe Gbamin.

Lampard started with three centre backs - as he often did during the end of last season. In the first half Mason Holgate partnered Yerry Mina and Ben Godfrey. In the second 45 minutes of the 2-0 defeat that changed to Michael Keane. new signing James Tarkowski and academy prospect Reece Welch.

Explaining his approach, he said: "I would like to be a bit more flexible because at the minute we have to probably play a back three because of the personnel on this trip - a lot of centre halves and in midfield we don't really have natural holding midfielders to perhaps play three in midfield like Arsenal did tonight. So there are things that are a work in progress at the minute. My job is to focus on those parts - where can we bring in players to improve but also in training, where can we drill?"

Lampard said he was pleased with "snippets" of the game and, when asked about how improvements - including options