Former Aston Villa and England striker Gabby Agbonlahor has urged Everton to recruit proper wing-backs in the January transfer window.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti had squad problems leading up to the last game against Leeds United with fullbacks Seamus Coleman and Lucas Digne unavailable for selection through injury, and had to play Alex Iwobi and Tom Davies as makeshift wing-backs.

Iwobi's transition from left winger to left wing-back did not work out well against Leeds United in contrast to his eye-catching display at Fulham on November 22.

The game plan from manager Marcelo Bielsa was to target the spaces behind Iwobi and Davies, and his side eventually secured all the three points.

"If you’re looking at Iwobi and Davies they’re not defenders so when you ask them to play in that position it’s tough for anyone," Agbonlahor said to Football Insider.

"If I had to play in those positions I would be frightened. Those positions are where you do the most running in the team, it’s not their fault they were frightened and asked to play there.

"Ancelotti has got a lot of injuries in wing-back and full-back roles, he just put his fittest players available in there.

He added : "Maybe it’s something Everton need to look at it in the future, to add more strength in depth in full-back positions."

Igho Kingsley