David Ornstein believes Frank Lampard's future could depend on their next Premier League fixture.

The Lowdown: Premier League is the focus

It has been widely reported that Lampard will indeed take charge of Everton's FA Cup clash against Manchester United, but it appears that he won't be judged too harshly on the outcome of what is a tricky draw.

This is because it appears more likely that Everton and Farhad Moshiri will instead look towards the Premier League and the results, or lack of them, before deciding what the future holds for Lampard.

The Everton manager has admitted recently that he hasn't and doesn't need to seek reassurances over his job despite a shocking run of form that's returned just five points from 10 league games.

The Latest: Ornstein admits Southampton game may decide Lampard's future

Ornstein was speaking live to NBC Sports about how Everton's next game against bottom of the league Southampton could be crucial to Lampard's future in the Everton dugout.

He said: (0:20) "Frank Lampard still is in position and that's the top news to bring to you because he lives to fight another day.

"Will that day be tomorrow because Manchester United are the hosts of Everton in the FA Cup at Old Trafford? That, of course, is really important to Frank Lampard but I sense that more important is the next home match against Southampton, the league's bottom-placed side and then after that is another struggler in the Premier League this season, West Ham.

"I think the Southampton one could be seminal for Frank Lampard from people I'm speaking to around the situation."

The Verdict: Everton in a critical period

It is a hugely significant period of time for Everton as they find themselves rooted in the bottom three, have won one game in their last 11 across all competitions and can ill afford relegation with a new stadium on the horizon.

Lampard will know that results have to improve and if he was to not pick up three points against Southampton who haven't won a league game under Nathan Jones or indeed since October, that could well be the final nail in his coffin.

Moshiri has indeed gone through a whole load of managers during his time owning the club so he must sit back and think if it's worth firing and hiring more bosses, or if giving Lampard another transfer window and more time could be beneficial in their battle against the drop.