Former Everton star Joleon Lescott has backed his former club to avoid relegation.
The former Toffees and Manchester City defender spoke out regarding Everton receiving a ten point deduction in the Premier League.
Despite Everton now being in the relegation zone with only four points, Lescott believes they will stay up.
He told Channel 4: The swiftness of the decision has surprised me having been speaking to people in the club up until the weekend they were very adamant this wasn't going to be the outcome.
'I don't know exactly to what extent something has happened to know if they are hard done by. But from our perspective it's an optimal time they receive this.
They are winning games regularly, if this had come earlier in the season then from a players' perspective if you see a minus next to your points tally then it has a different effect on your morale and confidence. I know they are 19th and near relegation but they will be confident they can get out of it."