Stubbs keen for Garner to remain in midfield rather than be moved to right-back

IT would be "wrong" to take James Garner out of Everton's midfield against Manchester United to fill the problem position of right-back.

- By CHRIS BEESLEY

That's the view of former Blues captain Alan Stubbs as David Moyes ponders an enforced change to replace the suspended Jake O'Brien.

The Republic of Ireland international is not a natural right-back either, but the Scot has mostly deployed him in that role rather than his preferred centre-back position.

With O'Brien serving a one-match ban, Moyes' options include club captain Seamus Coleman, who has started just one Premier League game all season, Nathan Patterson, who was close to joining Genoa on transfer deadline day, and Garner, who is naturally a central midfielder but has been used in both fullback berths this term.

Stubbs, who made 193 appearances across two spells for Everton, said: "Nathan Patterson can go in there and the only real alternative is putting James Garner in that role, which for me would be a negative.

"James Garner, for me, he's our best midfield player right now. To take him out of the heart of it would be the wrong thing.

"I think Patterson comes in and then the manager has a decision to make. At centre-back it's Jarrad Branthwaite plus another.

"I would have thought he'll go with James Tarkowski and he and Jarrad have had a partnership that's been good.