Everton attacker Andros Townsend says fellow summer signing Demarai Gray has silenced his critics.

Townsend has hit back at the doubters who questioned Everton's decision to sign the 25-year-old during the summer transfer window.

He told talkSPORT: “You know what, I don't know why, like, when Everton signed him they got a lot of stick. 'Why have they signed Demarai Gray?'

“But this is a player, I remember Demarai Gray coming through and being the next best thing at Leicester.

“He was sharp, he was direct, and yes he maybe lost his way a little bit, for one reason or another with off the field issues, but he's still the same Demarai Gray who burst through the scene at Leicester.

“And with a manager like Rafa, who leaves no stone unturned, who wants to improve every aspect of the player it's a match made in heaven and you're starting to see that already with the form of Demarai Gray.

“It's probably one of the bargains of the summer. Listen, Messi has gone to PSG for free so that says a lot about how Demarai Gray has started."