This article is part of Football FanCast's Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba's haircuts to League Two relegation battles...

It has been clear for a few weeks now that Tottenham Hotspur have missed the presence of an out-and-out defensive midfielder in their team, and playing Moussa Sissoko at right-back against Brighton could provide a solution to the issue.

Mauricio Pochettino has largely preferred the Frenchman, Tanguy Ndombele and Harry Winks in the centre of the park so far this term, but it certainly hasn't worked well when it has come to the team keeping the ball out of their net.

They have conceded at least two goals in all of their away fixtures to date – excluding the Carabao Cup clash against Colchester United – while Bayern Munich put seven past them at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday.

Despite being a regular in the past, Eric Dier has found first-team football hard to come by so far this season, and didn't make his first Premier League outing until he made a 12-minute cameo appearance in the success against Southampton last weekend – his only previous call-up was against Colchester.

While he may have had a few wobbly moments last term – including against Bournemouth when he was criticised by his own supporters – he can provide that shield that this vulnerable Spurs defence really looks to need right now.

Watch Tottenham Hotspur Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Taking Sissoko out of the equation and starting him at right-back would certainly make it more likely for the 25-year-old to be able to come into the XI at the Amex, and Pochettino hinted that the France international is his preferred option to replace the suspended Serge Aurier on Friday.

If the 30-year-old does get the nod, Dier could come in to play with either both – or just one of – Winks and Ndombele against the Seagulls, as the visitors go in search of their first top flight win on their travels since January 20.

Giving the England international an opportunity has been long overdue, and now the Argentine manager has the perfect chance to do exactly that.