Everton manager Sean Dyche has backed midfielder James Garner to find his place in the team.

The former Manchester United star has not enjoyed a productive season, largely due to injury issues.

Garner, who was at Nottingham Forest on loan last season, was thought to have a bright future in the game.

This week, Dyche said: “Jimmy applied himself well. It's tough walking into the Premier League, especially in a performance like that, but he kept at it, kept trying to do well, kept trying to do the basics.

“He'll grow and learn as time goes on.

“Obviously at the minute it's going to be a fast-track learning but there are a few players out there – Patto is a young player still, you forget that – they're developing players, they're not rounded Premier League bona fide players, they've got to develop and learn about that.

“Again, these are tough times for them to learn through but that's the challenge."