Everton manager Roberto Martinez has challenged winger Kevin Mirallas to finish the season strongly having returned from injury against Burnley last time out.

The Belgian scored the only goal of the game against the Clarets on Saturday in what was his first start since the defeat to Arsenal at the beginning of March.

Mirallas's future has come under question recently, with a possible swap deal for Tottenham Hotspur's Aaron Lennon being mooted in some quarters, but Martinez talked up the importance of the 27-year-old to his side.

"Kevin is a special player for us. He brings a goalscoring threat that is so important in football. It's good to see that Kevin is well over his injury now and can challenge for a place in the team," Martinez told evertontv.

"It's great to have as many players like Kevin fit and available because it gives you different opportunities to show a threat to the opposition.

"I'm looking forward to seeing how strong Kevin can finish the season now."

Martinez also refused to be drawn on whether he was considering turning Lennon's loan move into a permanent one at the end of the season.