Everton manager Sean Dyche has reaffirmed that defender Ben Godfrey has a future at the club.

The 25-year-old has only managed one Premier League appearance so far this term.

While Godfrey has not been in favour, due to the form of James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite, Dyche outlined his plans for the stopper.

He told reporters: “Yes, he's doing terrifically well for us. He's training very well, he's staying sharp and ready.

“The hardest thing we've had lately is the games programme, to try and keep the players who are not quite playing, starting in the first team, keeping them game-ready. But he looks after himself, he's a super-fit fella, he's going along well and he's ready.

“I think it's fair to say currently it's tough. The two center-halves are both playing very, very well as most people are saying outside of my opinion and decision, I think most people accept that.

“Sometimes as a center-half, and I was one, it's tough because you want to play but I think there's an honesty to most center-halves when they look at someone and think they are playing well, they know they've got to sit tight. I think he does know that, I think he's a very good player but he's looking at two center-halves who are currently on very, very strong form."