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.

Everton's Tom Davies must take his chance at Everton now that Andre Gomes is out injured, says Michael Ball.

What did he say?

Andre Gomes is going to face many months out of action after his horrific injury sustained against Tottenham Hotspur. The nasty ankle fracture forced the 26-year-old to undergo surgery and as he faces a long rehabilitation process fellow midfielders must step up.

Ball believes, despite the sad circumstances, that Davies must be the man to take Gomes' place and faces a potentially career-defining time at Goodison Park.

The former Everton man told the Liverpool Echo: "It's come under very sad circumstances but Tom has to grab his chance now.

"Since he's come into the team, he's shown the quality he's got and hasn't let anyone down," Ball added.

"I'm made up for Tom and he just needs a good little run now of six or seven games where he's keeping those 8/9 out of 10 performances going so he can make the spot his own and there could even be opportunities for him in the England set-up.

"Obviously Tom has got to focus on Everton first and foremost but if he can put consistent performances in at his best level, it could really set up his career."

Career-defining period

Davies has been in the Everton squad for a while now, having burst onto the scene in 2016-17 where he made 24 Premier League appearances. This period saw the academy graduate bag two goals and provide three assists for the Toffees.

Now, at 22 years old, the Englishman has a fantastic opportunity to prove himself as the future of Everton and justify the hype that surrounded his breakthrough.

Marco Silva has been reluctant to play Davies this season, handing him just 283 minutes of league action. However, if the Portuguese international wants to build for the future, he must invest in Davies until Gomes returns.

It will, of course, be months until the former Barcelona man returns.

But now, it is time for Davies to prove to Silva that he is capable of thriving in the heart of Everton's midfield.