Martinez plan to give fringe players the chance to impress

Roberto Martinez says he plans to use the Capital One Cup visit of Stevenage to give some different faces a chance to impress.
 
Everton take on the League One outfit on Wednesday evening in the second round of the competition, with several members of the Blues squad itching to feature for the first time this term.
 
But Martinez, who has named identical line-ups in his first two competitive games in charge, insists any changes will be made only with progression in mind.

"I think the timing of the League Cup is always really, really good because we are on the back of seven weeks of very strong work from everyone and you get players who are a little bit disappointed because they couldn't show what they could do in the opening two games in the league," said Martinez.

"It's important if we want to be successful over the course of a season that we have a strong squad - not just 11 or 12 players, but a squad of players who are ready to come in, show a moment of form and help the team to get results.

"Making changes doesn't mean you don't respect the opposition - probably the opposite.
 
"I want players playing that are fully fresh and recovered. We've got those that played at the weekend, we're going to have another tough game [at Cardiff] and then the international break.

"So it's important we share that demand and give hungry players a chance to play."
 
By Abayomi Ademetan