Thursday 11 February 2016 11:52, UK
Roberto Martinez insists Everton will not allow any of their players to leave before the end of the season.
The Goodison Park boss is desperate to retain the squad which has climbed the Premier League table in recent weeks and is pressing for a place in Europe next season.
Speculation has been rife over the futures of goalkeeper Tim Howard, 36, and 33-year-old defender Phil Jagielka, with the latter linked with a move to the Chinese Premier League.
But speaking at the news briefing ahead of Saturday's home game against West Brom, Martinez said: "Another of those rumours. I'm sure someone somewhere has come up with a story and people have been following that up, nothing else.
I can guarantee nobody is going to leave before the end of the season unless it is going to be a loan move to the Championship.
"We are not in a situation to lose players. Phil is our club captain and has been at a really good level. There is no substance whatsoever in that story."
However, Martinez has refused to rule out sending some of his fringe players out on loan to the Championship.
"At the moment, the only thing we are concentrating on is where we are after the January window," Martinez said.
"We have bought two young players, one is Shani Tarashaj and he has gone back to Grasshoppers, the other is Matty Foulds and he has settled very well into the U21s. Then the outstanding capture of Oumar Niasse was a fantastic way of finishing the window.
"Now I can guarantee nobody is going to leave before the end of the season unless it is going to be a loan move to the Championship, if we feel a player needs a bit of playing time.
"Any speculation is a waste of time. At the end of the season there is a different window and a different situation. At the moment there is nothing to take focus away from wanting to win games. We need as many points as we can."
