Transfer Centre

Roberto Martinez eyes short-term Everton replacements

By Michael Penkman, Reporter
Published: 20 December 2013 2:50 AM

Roberto Martinez says that he will be on the lookout for short-term replacements for Arouna Kone and Darron Gibson in the January transfer window.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has said that long-term injuries to Arouna Kone and Darron Gibson mean that he is likely to seek short-term replacements in January.

The Spaniard has already used the loan market to good effect this season, bringing in Gerard Deulofeu, Romelu Lukaku and Gareth Barry.

Martinez is keen to strengthen further in the winter window as he plots a route into the top four, although he stressed that both Kone and Gibson remain in his long-term plans at Goodison Park.

"I do feel that Arouna Kone and Darron Gibson are two players who were going to have big roles for us, so I will look if there are any options to bring in anyone in January, just to have that peace of mind and make the squad a little bit stronger," the Liverpool Echo the 40-year-old him as saying.

"It could be the loan market. It is a short term situation the one we are in because I'd love to see Darron and Arouna back on the pitch. A short-term solution would help in that respect."

The Toffees are fifth in the Premier League, four points off leaders Arsenal.