Roberto Martinez on the critics: "I'm sure from the outside there will be people asking questions.

"But that has made us even stronger and it has made us a little bit more focused about where we are and what we want to achieve.

"The winning mentality in the group is strong and now it is about getting back to a very simple approach, making sure we perform in a manner which can start a real good run of performances."

Asked if he was concerned about getting dragged into a relegation battle, Roberto Martinez said: "We are looking forward to every game and you could see against West Ham that there is a strength and bravery in the squad.

"The players wanted to get on the ball and get back into the game and they did that until the very last second.

"Now we are focused on Manchester City. It will be a glamorous occasion but in the position we are in in the league, we are looking to get some good positive momentum and put a run of results together."

I'm not sure that answered the question but there you go.

Wearing a blue Everton sweatshirt - that's for the fashion aficionados among you - Martinez has reacted to the comments made by Romelu Lukakau after Everton's last-gasp draw against West Ham.

Lukakau said the players had asked Martinez if they could play a more direct style of football.

Image source, Getty Images

Asked if that was true, Martinez smiled and responded: "I'm always talking with the players an we prepare from game to game.

"This has come out in a way that makes it seem like it was a one-off meeting and we had never spoken before. It was a normal approach. We need to use players in specific ways in specific games so we can get a better performance."

Roberto Martinez has arrived to face the media, and first up he has some news on who will be available to face Manchester City at Goodison Park on Saturday.

"Sylvan Distin is going to be out. But he hasn't got a bad injury, so I don't think he will be out too long," said the Toffees boss.

"But we have Antolin Alcaraz coming back from suspension and I expect Leighton Baines to be fully fit so, that is two in and one out."

Image source, The Times

We wrap up our look at the morning papers by having a gander at The Times. They're going on the James Milner story we mentioned earlier, with Liverpool - soon to be without talisman Steven Gerrard - putting the Manchester City man at the top of their wanted list. One to keep an eye on.

A few other transfer stories from today...

Manchester United have made an offer, external for Germany central defender Mats Hummels, but Borussia Dortmund say the 26-year-old is not for sale.

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech, 32, could leave the club at the end of the season, external and has been linked with a move across London to Arsenal.

Liverpool and England striker Rickie Lambert has emerged as an early transfer target, external for new Crystal Palace manager, Alan Pardew.

All these and much more at the BBC's Gossip column.

Image source, Daily Mirror

Plenty of variety on today's back pages, the Mirror going with Newcastle's search for a new boss, with Dutchman Frank de Boer apparently the number one target. Oh, and full marks for a nice headline too.

Swindon chairman Lee Power has confirmed the League One leaders have signed striker Jermaine Hylton from non-league Redditch United on a free transfer.

The 21-year-old, who has scored 45 goals in two seasons, has agreed a two-and-a-half-year contract.

"There were a number of clubs that were interested," Power told BBC Wiltshire.

Image source, The Daily Telegraph

Convicted rapist Ched Evans may return to football today - Oldham will announce later if they are signing the striker - and according to the Daily Telegraph, "football backs Evans". They report that Premier League managers are supporting the League One club's bid to bring the Welshman back into the game.

However, regards Wilfried Bony, the striker's agent says the transfer should be completed in "the next few days".

The Premier League champions are in advanced talks with Swansea to sign the 26-year-old Ivory Coast striker for a fee expected to be in excess of £30m.

Bony's agent Francis Kacou said: "I think things will go all right in a few days."

Image source, The Sun

A quick round-up of today's back pages, starting with The Sun and its claim that Swansea striker Wilfried Bony will be offered a pay-as-you-play deal by Manchester City - which could put the £30m transfer in jeopardy.

Just in case you're tearing your hair out about the little teaser we set at 08:21 GMT, the mystery sporting man is ... (insert drum-roll here) ... Andy Murray.

The British number one put the rather unusual picture on Instagram, external. He doesn't look very comfortable but, hey, I guess that's one of the sacrifices you make for being a top tennis star.

Some breaking transfer news... Nottingham Forest have signed Chelsea right-back Todd Kane on loan until the end of the season.

Image source, Getty Images

The 21-year-old former England Under-19 international had been on loan with League One side Bristol City since November, and was scheduled to stay until 18 January.

But Kane, who has yet to play a first-team game for the Blues, only started three games while at Ashton Gate.

It's not all football you know. There has been action overnight in the world of cricket, with India's Virat Kohli becoming the first man to make three Test centuries in his first three innings as captain.

Image source, Getty Images

Lokesh Rahul also made the first ton of his career as India fought back on day three of the fourth Test against Australia at Sydney.

The Aussies declared on 572 on day two but India produced a brilliant response to reach 342 for five - a deficit of 230 - with Kohli hitting his fourth hundred of the series as the pair put on 141 for the third wicket.

Scorecard here.

There's also more from 5 live available to listen to now.

Want to hear Kevin Phillips talking about what it takes to be a striker? Then head here.

Or how about Guy Mowbray and Kevin Phillips arguing that while Jordan Henderson is a fine player, he's no Steven Gerrard? That clip you'll find here.

Enjoy.

Image source, Getty Images

A little titbit from BBC Radio 5 live that's well worth listening to.

Former Spurs striker Clive Allen says Harry Kane should aim to be as good as Newcastle and England legend Alan Shearer. Quite a claim.

You can hear the clip here.

A spot of breaking news ... Robert Sarver has increased his offer to buy Rangers to £20m, which is £2m more than his bid rejected by the club's board on Tuesday.

The American financier - owner of the Phoenix Suns basketball franchise - has also offered £6.5m in a short-term loan to alleviate the club's cash shortage.

Rangers said his £18m bid undervalued the club.

Just woken, a little bleary-eyed, but keen to know the morning headlines? Your luck is in - here's a round-up of the sporting news from overnight.

*Oldham Athletic are hoping to complete the signing of convicted rapist Ched Evans.

*Fernando Torres made a winning return to Atletico Madrid as his side beat Real Madrid 2-0 in the first leg of their last-16 tie in the Copa del Rey.

Image source, Getty Images

*Captain Jonathan Trott hit 79 from 127 balls as England Lions drew their opening tour game against a Gauteng Invitation XI in Soweto, South Africa.

*England's Martin Adams, Brian Dawson and Scott Mitchell all sealed quarter-final spots at the BDO World Championships on Wednesday evening.

Now then, a famous British sporting celebrity has posted this selfie from his physio bed this morning. Can you guess who it is? Answer coming shortly...

Image source, Instagram

Now as deals go, if Chelsea can pull off the signing of Lionel Messi, it would surely rank as one of the greatest ever transfer coups.

There are plenty of stories flying around about the future of the unsettled Barcelona superstar, with the Daily Star, external claiming Blues boss Jose Mourinho is prepared to pay a £200m contract release to get his hands on Messi.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City are also said to be keeping tabs on the situation.

Messi in the Premier League? Match of the Day would get record viewing figures.