LIVERPOOL -- Everton manager Roberto Martinez insists he will not hurry into the January transfer market as he deals with injuries to Sylvain Distin and Tim Howard.
Distin, 37, will miss Saturday's Premier League home game against Manchester City after picking up a groin injury during the 1-1 FA Cup third-round draw against West Ham on Tuesday.
Howard, 35, meanwhile, is unlikely to play until February as he recovers from the calf problem sustained as Everton lost 1-0 at home to Stoke in the Premier League on Boxing Day.
Distin is only expected to be out for the short term, and Martinez is happy with the defensive options he has, with John Stones having recovered from an ankle problem.
The Spaniard told a news conference: "At the moment, Sylvain Distin's injury doesn't seem to be a long-term one. So I wouldn't say that's going to be a concern for the future.
"It was a real positive to see John Stones back. He finished the game with no ill effects, and that's really important. At the moment, I'm quite happy with the numbers we've got in those positions, if nothing happens."
Howard's injury is more problematic for Martinez, who is currently playing back-up goalkeeper Joel Robles in his place, but only has two untried teenagers -- Russell Griffiths and Jindrich Stanek -- in reserve.
The Toffees boss indicated on Monday that he was looking to sign a goalkeeper on a long-term basis rather than make a quick loan signing.
And although he is reluctant to throw Griffiths or Stanek in for a debut if anything happens to Robles, Martinez is prepared to gamble on waiting until the summer to bring in another keeper.
Asked if it would be better to sign a keeper at the end of the season, Martinez said: "Yes, probably. I've always said that January is a window where we're not looking for solutions. It's a window of opportunities and we'll always assess what's around. If we can find anyone who can help our situation, we'll act quickly.
"I wouldn't say we're relying on January, because that would be a big gamble. We worked extremely hard in the summer to have a squad I felt was strong enough to cope with any competition. I still feel that way.
"Obviously, the injuries we have now open up opportunities in January. But I don't see the January window as the way of finding solutions without risks. We'll be very careful, and won't bring in anyone for the sake of it."
Martinez is also confident that Everton are finally on the way to sorting out James McCarthy's hamstring problem.
The midfielder first picked up the injury during a 1-1 Premier League draw at Sunderland on Nov. 9, and two attempts at a comeback since then have been cut short.
McCarthy, 24, will not be available for Saturday's clash against City, and Martinez has refused to give a date for a return to action.
However, the Toffees boss believes that ensuring the Republic of Ireland international is fully recovered will mean he avoids any further setbacks.
Martinez said: "James McCarthy is developing well. With James, we need to make sure that he's fully fit. He's responding really well and we need to make sure that when he comes back, he's in a strong way and is 100 percent for the second half of the season.
"I think we've got to the bottom of it. I think it's going to help him for the rest of his career. It's about making sure everything is right about his recovery, his nutrition and all he's got to do about going from game to game.
"Remember that he has a very peculiar profile as a midfielder. He's more of a sprinter. A normal midfielder is more about stamina. Sprinters need extra care.
"But I think we've got to the bottom of it, and now we need to make sure he's fully recovered and allow him to be on the pitch enjoying his football, and not be concerned about whether he's going to have a soft tissue problem. I'm very confident that once he comes back, he'll be back to stay and he'll have a very strong period."