Everton manager Roberto Martinez has said that he is confident that the club can finish inside the top four of the Premier League this season.

The teams that finished above the Toffees last season have all invested heavily in their squads and Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are also expected to challenge for a Champions League place.

"I think the Premier League this season will be quite unique because of the number of teams fighting to get into the top four," The Mirror quotes him as saying. "Manchester United will be a force, 100%, the top four of last season will be stronger and I think Spurs will benefit from all the investment of a year ago.

"But I would like to believe we will benefit from being together for 12 months and we will be stronger. I will never shy away from trying to get Champions League football because that has to be where we're trying to get to.

"When it's going to be, I don't know, but it shouldn't be down to just money to get into the top four positions."

Everton will be playing in Europa League after finishing fifth last season.