Roberto Martinez has said that he will be working closely with the academy players at Everton.

The Toffees were the only club to have their Under-18s and Under-21s both reach the knockout stages of the development league last season.

The new Goodison Park manager told the club's website: "I will be working very closely with the Academy. It is important. Alan Irvine has played a tremendous part in that and what he has done so far has been really impressive.

"We need to work together and as a football club we need to put a lot of focus on trying to give youngsters opportunities.

"I do feel that the talent we have in our football club is phenomenal and we need to make sure that we help that talent to develop and reach the levels that the modern game needs."

Martinez took over at Everton following David Moyes's move to Manchester United.

Written by
Sian Cowper