Greg O'Keeffe has hinted at Abdoulaye Doucoure's uptick in form may force Everton into handing him a new contract.

The Lowdown: Dyche getting a tune out of Doucoure

Sean Dyche has come into Everton and been able to get more out of certain players than Frank Lampard could, including the likes of Doucoure and Michael Keane in particular with the former turning into a goal-scoring machine lately.

Having netted just once all season, Doucoure now has two in his last three games for Everton and both of them have come away from home, although the Toffees are set to lose the Frenchman for free when his contract expires this summer.

Doucoure was not someone who was a regular under the former manager starting just one league game before Dyche arrived, but he's seemingly been given a new lease of life under the former Burnley coach.

The Latest: Doucoure fighting for his Everton future

O'Keeffe has claimed on the All Together Now podcast that Doucoure's recent purple patch of form, could see Everton be forced into handing him a new contract if he continues to net at an impressive rate.

He said: (6:20) "Doucoure, in particular, scoring a goal and creating a goal, he is just such a changed man it's unbelievable.

"We would've happily been talking about his contract not getting an extension in the summer, fascinating to see what Sean Dyche will be thinking, a penny for his thoughts now."

The Verdict: Everton have a tough decision to make

Given that Doucoure is now on the wrong side of 30, it will be difficult for Everton to justify handing him a new long-term deal, which the midfielder is likely to crave so he can have some security over his future.

Therefore, even if Doucoure keeps performing at this level, it could be best for Everton to let him walk away for free in the summer, see if he can keep up this purple patch of form for any other side and wipe his £120,000 per week wages off their books.

However, if Dyche is able to keep Everton in the Premier League, then Farhad Moshiri and the rest of the board must listen to what he wants in the summer, and if that means handing Doucoure a new deal, then that's what should happen.