Transfer Centre

Roberto Martinez plays down Everton transfer talk

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 14 December 2015

Everton boss Roberto Martinez insists that he does not need to bring in defensive cover in January despite Tyias Browning being ruled out for the rest of the season.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has hinted that he will not be looking to bring in defensive cover during the January transfer window.

The Toffees have been without Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman at various stages of the current campaign, while Phil Jagielka, Bryan Oviedo and Tyias Browning are still sidelined.

However, Jagielka is due to return in the coming weeks, and Martinez insists that he has enough strength in depth to avoid the need to make any additions next month.

"We always look at how the squad is in every window but if you are going to have three injuries in your goalkeeping positions you are not going to keep four goalkeepers just in case," he told the Liverpool Echo.

"I think we need to be realistic. Our squad is big enough, our squad is strong and we have a great balance of experience and talent. We are going to have Tyias Browning out for the season but we are going to get Phil Jagielka back very, very soon and we have got Bryan Oviedo to come back as well so the players are at the football club.

"On the plus side is that we have performed really well having five first-team defenders out of the lineup. It is a real sign of the development of the young players here and I wouldn't bring players here just for the sake of it."

Everton, who sit 10th in the Premier League table, face high-flying Leicester City at Goodison Park next Saturday.