STEVEN NAISMITH will have to wait for Everton’s fixture congestion to ease before he can make a final decision on a move to Norwich, says manager Roberto Martinez.
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| Steven Naismith made 31 Premier League appearances for Everton last term but featured rarely lately |
Martinez has agreed to allow the Scotland striker to move to Carrow Road in an £8million deal during next month’s transfer window. Naismith, 29, is mulling over the move, having become frustrated at his lack of chances to shine in Everton’s attack this season.
He hit a hat-trick in a 3-1 victory over champions Chelsea in September, but has been restricted to just four league starts this season.
The superb form of 15-goal top scorer Romelu Lukaku has barred his path to the central striker’s role, while Gerard Deulofeu, Ross Barkley and Arouna Kone have tended to fill the three support slots.
Naismith is by no means guaranteed to move to Norwich, as he must decide if his career would benefit from joining a club who could be in the Championship next season.
But Martinez says the transfer will have to wait anyway, because Everton start January with a run of five games in 14 days across three competitions.
His side host Tottenham on Sunday and visit Chelsea two weeks later – but in between those two league games, there is a two-legged Capital One Cup semi-final against Manchester City as well as an FA Cup third-round tie at home to League Two side Dagenham and Redbridge.
Martinez said: “We speak constantly, but in terms of the next step on Naisy’s future, it will be discussed over the next couple of weeks.
“We’ve got a really busy period now, and we need to make sure we go through those games. Mid-January will be a perfect moment to have a calmer look at it.”
Martinez has called on Everton to improve the Premier League’s worst home defensive record, but has refused to put all the blame on Tim Howard.
United States international Howard has conceded seven goals in his side’s last two home matches, and was barracked by his own fans during Monday’s 4-3 Premier League defeat by Stoke.
Martinez, though, feels Everton are suffering because of the absence of captain Phil Jagielka, who is set to return to action in the next 10 days after more than two months out with a knee injury.
The manager feels the experience of Howard, 36, is vital in the dressing room.
Martinez said: “The experience of someone such as Tim Howard is important to help a young team like ours to reach the best level. We need to become better and defend the box better, but that’s a team responsibility rather than highlighting one individual.”
Jagielka should be fit for the FA Cup tie against Dagenham and Redbridge on January 9, and Martinez has acknowledged that his captain’s influence has been missed.
He said: “Phil’s a lively character who we’ve missed immensely, but we need to make sure he is 100 per cent fit before he can come back to challenge for a position in the team.”
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