Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard is remaining affected person as he continues his rebuild of the West Midlands membership.
And the previous Rangers gaffer has revealed a long-term precedence that he hopes will unlock John McGinn's full potential.
Gerrard ended a run of no Premier League wins in 5 matches by defeating doomed Norwich Metropolis 2-0 on the weekend with strike duo Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings each on the scoresheet.
Nevertheless it was Scotland talisman McGinn who the supervisor picked out for particular reward.
And Gerrard desires to discover a defensive-minded participant – a 'No.6' in fashionable soccer parlance – alongside him to offer McGinn further freedom in assault.
18-year-old Tim Iroegbunam performed the function on Saturday as he changed Douglas Luiz within the beginning line-up.
However on McGinn, Gerrard stated: "He is aware of the sport. We wish John to nonetheless have that licence to go ahead, that’s on him to make as many runs as he can. He’s obtained that freedom, we wish him to get pictures within the field and to reach.
"We’re fairly open minded about how John desires to play in our system however we’re delighted to have him, he’s an asset for us.
"John likes to be a bit extra of a free spirit. It was a precedence within the final window to make a (quantity) six occur however we couldn’t presumably do this.
"It wasn’t proper, the timing wasn’t proper.
"So we've to be affected person for the suitable factor in the long term."