Former Everton star Michael Ball believes that the club’s supporters are desperate to see youngster Ellis Simms get a chance in the first-team.

The Toffees have been struggling with injury woes up front, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin suffering with a toe issue that has seen him miss a number of Premier League games.

As a result, summer signing Salomon Rondon has been forced to deputise for the England international.

Simms is an option to play up front who is currently playing for the Toffees’ youth teams.

The 20-year-old has been prolific for the U18s, scoring 41 goals in 44 games, and he has also scored 17 goals in 36 games for the U23s, but has never played for the first team.

Simms has played first-team football, too, going on loan to Blackpool in League One last season and scoring 10 goals in 24 games.

Ball believes that the youngster is already a fan favourite, and believes that the Goodison Park faithful are desperate to see him playing under Benitez.

He said: “We’ve got a young kid, Ellis Simms, who the fans are hoping to get to see on the pitch. He had a great loan period last year.”