Everton to step-up goalkeeper hunt

Everton boss Roberto Martinez has confirmed that the club will look to sign a goalkeeper in the January transfer window with a view of being an eventual replacement for Tim Howard.

Howard is currently sidelined for six weeks with a calf injury meaning the unpredictable Joel Robles is currently between the sticks with only youngsters Jindřich Staněk and Russell Griffiths behind him.

Everton have been linked with a loan move for Wigan goalkeeper Al Al-Habsi during the January window as a short-term option but it appears Martinez is looking beyond the next few weeks.

Speaking at a news conference ahead of Tuesday's FA Cup tie against West Ham Martinez confirmed that although he wouldn't be signing a goalkeeper "for the sake of it" he is looking for a long-term player.

"If we could bring in a goalkeeper it would be with sense of the long-term aspect rather than the short-term. I don't think short-term would be a good solution to where we are now"

Even when he was fit Tim Howard was having a rough time of it. After his memorable summer at the World Cup his form has nose dived with many questioning whether he still has the ability to cope at this level.

The majority of supporters seem to agree that it is time to look for a replacement and his injury may have simply speeded up the succession process, though Martinez has been keen to stress that he will not just sign any goalkeeper.

Given the January window is notoriously tough to find good value signings there is no guarantee we will have a new potential No.1 come February 2.