Everton vs West Brom: Roberto Martinez Pre-Match Quotes

At his pre-match press conference ahead of West Brom's visit to Goodison Park, Roberto Martinez revealed that new signing Oumar Niasse has finally got his visa and is ready to make his Everton debut on Saturday.

"I expect Niasse to train today (Thursday) and hopefully he will play a part on Saturday," said his new manager.

However Roberto did rule out Muhamed Besic with his hamstring injury, "Mo Besic won't be involved this week but I would surprised if he didn't make the next match after Saturday."

But the gaffer wasn't so quick to rule out Tim Howard and John Stones for a return on Saturday, "I would say Tim and John have a chance to be involved this weekend ... I've been assessing how they have been in the last three days, but I need to see them in a group environment and see if they can work with the group before they can join the squad."

In the dominant win at Stoke City Romelu Lukaku became the first Everton player to score 20 goals two seasons on the run since Graeme Sharpe in the 1984/85 and 1985/86 seasons.

"Romelu has shown with his performances this season that he has matured, and he is ready to take on responsibility."

Martinez was asked where he is targeting to finish as he closes in on his third season at the Blues helm, "This is the widest and most open league I have experienced. But we need to keep our momentum and accumulating points."

We might have waved January goodbye but that doesn't stop transfer speculation, although this week the subject of speculation wasn't a name that is often typed with a move away from Goodison.

"We’re not in a situation to lose players, Phil Jagielka is our club captain and has been great in the last two games," was Martinez's response to the story that Jagielka was the next player to be part of what is now being named the Chinese revolution. "I can tell you there is no substance whatsoever in that rumour.

"At the moment the only we are concentrating on is where we are at after the January window. The January window has been a real success for us

"Any speculation is a waste of time. Once we get to the end of this season it will be a completely different window and a completely different situation - and we'll use that window again to try to make our squad stronger and to try to use it to our advantage."

Roberto was then asked about his own future, with a rumour that Inter Milan could come calling for the Spaniard; "Is this another Phil Jagielka to China rumour?"

With his recent good form, Tom Cleverley was invited to join an England 'get-together' this week which could likely lead to a recall to the England squad for the next international break.

"I think Tom Cleverley has been in Roy Hodgson's plans for a while. He has a lot of experience to add to that group."

Finally, it was a nice moment when Roberto presented 9-year-old George Shaw with our goal of the month award for January.

"George's story has been fantastic to follow. The players have been talking about him non-stop. He inspires us ahead of Saturday."

George beat both Aaron Lennon and Ross Barkley to the award and Martinez said, "Ross and Aaron were delighted when they saw the outcome of the vote!"