Former Everton defender Michael Ball says James Garner needs to play in central midfield.

Ball insists Garner is the one in-form midfielder available to manager Sean Dyche.

He told Liverpool Echo: "He's the in-form player and a midfielder who likes to try and find a pass going forward and never hides. He's got an all-round game and likes to press and force an error from an opponent.

"When he receives the ball, you can see an intelligent footballer who can make things happen. He's not rushed, he's assured and can put a bit of composure in that midfield.

"Sometimes it can be like a hot potato for us because we give the ball away so easily and so cheaply at times so Garner is the type of midfielder you need. The others might try and do something straight away and hit the ball out of play but he's got the ability to look after it.

"Abdoulaye Doucoure has got his goals but what has Idrissa Gueye brought to the table? He can tackle but he's making mistakes, he's not passing forward, he can't shoot.

"I'd drop him and then if you do go ahead then you can bring him on to help defend that lead. I think it will be something that Sean Dyche will be thinking about because he obviously wants to play Garner because he likes him and he's putting him in the starting line-up when he's got wingers on the bench."