Everton captain Phil Jagielka has called on the club to strengthen this summer if their on-loan players leave.
Gareth Barry, Romelu Lukaku and Gerard Deuloefu could all return to their parent clubs at the end of the season after impressing at Goodison Park this term.
If the trio fail to extend their temporary deals, Jagielka hopes that suitable replacements would be brought in by manager Roberto Martinez.
"We'd need to replace Gareth, Rom and Gerard, if they move on. We can't flourish otherwise," he told the Liverpool Echo. "It's difficult to bring in players of the same quality, but that's the manager's job.
"We'll be the first to thank the lads if they decide either not to extend their loans or against coming back next season. We'll thank them for what they've done because we knew that was the situation when we signed them; that we maybe only had them for a season.
"So now we need to unearth a few more gems or twist people's arms to get them to stay next season."
Everton play their final game of the campaign on Sunday when they travel to Hull City.
Jack Prescott
