Everton manager Rafael Benitez has said that he is confident the money recouped from the departure of midfielder James Rodriguez will allow him to reinvest in the squad in January.

The Colombian international, who linked back up with former manager Carlo Ancelotti at Goodison Park at the beginning of last season, departed for Qatari outfit Al-Rayyan on Wednesday, after missing the start of the new campaign through fitness issues.

With the previous top earner leaving Goodison Park, a large portion of the Toffees' wage budget has been cleared, and Benitez indicated that he will be given the chance to reinvest in his squad.

When asked in his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday's clash with Norwich City, the Spaniard said: "Yes, I think so. I had that conversation yesterday with Mr Moshiri. It's just to be sure we do things the right way, they are very keen to spend the money and improve the team."

Since his appointment over the summer, Benitez has seen the Merseyside club collect 10 points from five Premier League outings, although they head into Saturday's meeting on the back of a 3-0 league defeat to Aston Villa and a penalty shootout loss to Championship side Queens Park Rangers in the EFL Cup.

Rodriguez made 26 appearances for the Toffees last term, netting six goals and providing nine assists, but he never took to the pitch under the management of the former Liverpool boss.