Ex-Everton striker Tony Cottee believes that Romelu Lukaku's form is suffering due to his tendency to drift away from his centre-forward position.

The Belgium international has hit two goals for the Toffees this term, but has looked out of sorts in parts after initially struggling with a toe injury.

Cottee thinks that Lukaku's penchant for pulling into a wide left position is holding the striker back from returning to the form that convinced Roberto Martinez to pay Chelsea £28m for him in the summer.

He told Liverpool Echo: "He appears, to me, not to be playing down the middle often enough. He seems to be playing out wide or out left and a centre-forward can't score goals if you're spending all your time outside the box.

"You need to be in the middle and in the penalty area. I think that's where Lukaku needs to be playing. Evertonians are fantastic supporters who know their football – and they certainly know their centre-forwards, which is why they are a bit frustrated at the moment.

"They know a centre-forward needs to be in the middle of the pitch and my advice to Romelu Lukaku would be to play down the middle."

Lukaku finished as the Blues' top-scorer last season with 15 goals.