This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Football Insider pundit Danny Mills has been raving about Everton midfielder Andre Gomes ahead of this Saturday's clash against West Ham.

What did he say?

Gomes has been out injured since damaging his ribs in the game against Wolverhampton Wanderers, which was coincidentally their last win in the Premier League. Gomes did play the final 10 minutes against Burnley last time out, but the Wolves victory was on September 1, meaning it has been an alarming seven weeks since the Toffees last secured three points.

However, Mills suggests that Marco Silva's fortunes could change now that the Portuguese is fit and raring to go.

He told Football Insider: “He’s one of those players you don’t always notice until he’s not there. A lot of people go: ‘Yeah, he’s alright, he does this, does that, but what does he really do?’ Then he goes missing and they go: ‘Oh yeah, that’s what he does.'

"He doesn’t have those outstanding performances where he’s bossing it and driving through the midfield, scoring and shooting and all those types of things.

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“He has been a big miss. It’s no excuse, Everton have got strength in depth and some quality and they should have coped better without him, but if they can get him back fit and firing that’s a massive plus."

A timely return for a crucial man

Under pressure manager Silva will be buzzing more than anyone to see Gomes return for his side. In the time he was injured, Everton conceded nine goals and scored just four times in five games, with just one victory against Sheffield Wednesday in the EFL Cup.

Also, whilst the former Barcelona man has been in the physio room, certain midfield names have put in dreadful displays in his absence. For example, Morgan Schneiderlin registered a 4/10 rating from The Liverpool Echo in the defeat to Sheffield United, a 5/10 for his performance against Manchester City, and last time out earned another dismal 4/10 against Burnley.

Before his injury, Gomes proved to be of great worth to Everton as they lost just once in the five games prior to his absence, not winning in the five subsequent games. The 26-year-old has averaged 1.2 tackles and 2.2 dribbles per game this season and showed his ability in averaging 3.5 long balls last season.

As of now, Silva needs as much firepower as he can get with the club sat inside the relegation zone and on just seven points from eight games. The Euro 2016 champion will certainly improve the Merseyside outfit's side, but for their fortunes to change, many other names around him need to pick up their slack and save them from this embarrassing time.