Everton chief executive Robert Elstone has defended the club's board ahead of a planned protest at Goodison Park this weekend.

The Blue Union group were recently granted permission by police to hold a march outside of the ground before their game against Aston Villa on Saturday.

The group released a statement explaining that the reason behind the protest was over a lack of investment at the club, but Elstone has countered those claims by saying the club is doing all it can.

"The board of directors, myself as the CEO and the senior management, all have an ongoing responsibility to do what is right by Evertonians," he said.

"The suggestion of a completely new group of individuals coming in and essentially doing what the current board is doing is risible and completely unnecessary.

"Everton Football Club is for sale, despite accusations to the contrary. This has been the case for three years and it will remain the case until such time as someone is found with the finances capable of ensuring we can compete at the very highest level of the game both at home and in Europe.

"We are not where we want to be - we will always want more - but it is now time to pull together in the same direction and not fracture. Everton is at its strongest when we stand together," he added.

The Toffees currently sit 11th in the Premier League.