Everton manager Roberto Martinez has insisted that deadline-day signing Oumar Niasse is not a "back-up" for Romelu Lukaku.
The 25-year-old forward completed a move to Goodison Park on Monday from Lokomotiv Moscow for a fee of £13.5m.
Due to rumours that Lukaku is a summer target for Manchester United, there have been suggestions that Niasse could be a long-term replacement for the Belgian.
In Tuesday's press conference, Martinez insisted that Niasse will not play second fiddle to Lukaku.
"He is not back-up," the Spaniard told reporters. "He has his own ability and he is someone who can stretch a defence.
"He can cope with the physical nature of the Premier League. The last game in Russian league was December 10 - that was when their winter beak started - so the first thing is to get him back to full fitness.
"But he is really intelligent and he has a lot of assists. He is a striker who can fit in different formations."
Niasse is expected to make his debut at the weekend against Stoke City.
Danielle Joynson
