Leighton Baines is going no where in January, says Roberto Martinez

Roberto Martinez has issued a ‘guarantee’ that Leighton Baines will not be sold in January, with Manchester United reportedly preparing another attempt to snare the England left-back.

Baines, who returned for Everton on Sunday after missing six games through injury, was the target of several bids from previous manager David Moyes over the summer, with the Toffees rebuffing them and speculation was mounting that United were intending to test Everton’s resolve once again when the January transfer window opens in three days time.

But manager Martinez has insisted that their prized asset will not be following Moyes and Marouane Fellaini to Old Trafford, with Baines being a key player as Everton look to build upon their excellent first half of the season and challenge for a place in the top four and next season’s Champions League campaign.

Martinez told Sky Sports News, “In football you don’t work long term, you work window to window and I can guarantee that Leighton will be here at the end of the season. That is 100%.

“That is how you work from window to window – to have a stronger squad than previously.

“Leighton is vital for us in the second half of the season. Bryan Oviedo has been terrific for us, but we need both Leighton and Bryan fit for us if we’re going to fight for out football dream.”

One player potentially on his way out of Goodison Park however is Nikica Jelavic, with the Croatian struggling to make an impression on the first team of late.

“We’ve had a couple of enquiries about one of our players. Jelavic is a player we’ve made things very clear to – we’ve had a conversation and he’s got a World Cup around the corner.

“He needs to be playing minutes and we understand that. We’ll always try to give it a good assessment of the situation, but that’s not affecting anyone at the club.”