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Tim Sherwood plans to convert Scott Sinclair into a central striker to help him fill the gap left by Christian Benteke.

Aston Villa’s manager has decided the 26-year-old is wasted on the wing after watching him score five goals in the club’s last two games.

And he believes the man who lost his way after a big-money move to Manchester City can cash in on the deadly finishing skills that once saw him hit 27 in a season for Swansea – and maybe even lay claim to a place in Roy Hodgson’s Euro 2016 squad.

Sherwood will shuffle his formation at Leicester on Sunday to get Sinclair into the thick of the action, and he said: “To stick him out on the left, he’s going to get limited chances to score – and I think it’s a waste.

“His best asset is scoring goals, any player would like it to be their best asset, but he’s got to find a way of getting into scoring positions as many times as he can.

In pictures - Villa 2 - 2 Sunderland:

“You only have to tell him once – ‘when the midfielder gets the ball, all I want him to see is your number’. He can burst away.

“He can do that 30 times a game and I’m not sure centre-halves want to be chasing him all day – I’m not sure many are capable. He really is the fittest boy we have seen for a long time, and when he gets in front of goal he has calmness with both feet.”

Sinclair played just four minutes of Premier League football for City last season before bursting into life once he arrived at Villa Park on loan.

And Sherwood said: “I think he’s happy now that he’s playing regular football and he has a manager who really appreciates his qualities.”

Sherwood still hasn’t given up hope that he might get the chance to sign long-standing target Emmanuel Adebayor as another striker option.

Sherwood said: “I would not hesitate, if he had the desire to want to come and play football again I would have taken him in a heartbeat.

“We still have to respect his decision whatever one he makes. I’m just trying to sell him the opportunity here.

“On his day he is one of the best I’ve seen.”