Transfer Centre

Roberto Martinez: 'Nikica Jelavic, John Heitinga could leave in January'

By Gary Peters, Reporter | 21 December 2013

Nikica Jelavic and John Heitinga could leave Everton in the transfer window to improve their chances of making it to the 2014 World Cup.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has said that he could let Nikica Jelavic and John Heitinga leave the club in the January transfer window.

Both players have struggled to hold down a regular spot in the club's starting XI and Martinez concedes that their departures could be possible in order to keep them in contention for next year's World Cup.

"As experienced players, they have a World Cup around the corner and need to be playing. I would understand if this is a situation that is frustrating them, and affecting the way they play," Martinez told reporters.

"Their role for us is not just on the pitch, but on a day-to-day basis in the way they work and set standards. For me, they are important players.

"We have had conversations because it is important to know how the players feel. They are fighting to get into the team and understand if they don't play, it will affect their World Cup chances. But it's a balancing act and we don't want to weaken the squad."

Jelavic has won 31 caps for Croatia, while Heitinga has appeared 87 times for the Netherlands.