Everton transfer news: Roberto Martinez keen to keep Lacina Traore, despite awful loan spell

Injuries have blighted the Ivorian's spell at Goodison since joining in January

Lacina Traore celebrates scoring in the FA Cup on his debut for Everton (GETTY IMAGES)

Everton manager Roberto Martinez is keen to give striker Lacina Traore a second chance next season after a disastrous loan spell at Goodison Park.

The Ivory Coast international arrived from Monaco in January and his debut was delayed as he was recovering from a previous injury, but after playing just 61 minutes in a single appearance a hamstring problem ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign.

Traore is due to return to France in the summer but Martinez, who does not yet know whether he will be able to keep his top scorer Romelu Lukaku - who is on loan from Chelsea - is not averse to bringing the 6ft 7in forward back.

"We will sit down in the summer and review the situation," Martinez said.

"I know Lacina is frustrated he has not been able to play more minutes for us.

"We need to speak to his parent club and see what their thoughts are but he is a very interesting player for us."

Traore's injury is one of several affecting an already small squad with midfielders Darron Gibson and Steven Pienaar, defender Phil Jagielka and striker Arouna Kone, now joined on the sidelines by forward Kevin Mirallas and centre-back Sylvain Distin.

Mirallas has already been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign with a groin problem suffered in Sunday's win over Manchester United while Distin is waiting to hear whether a hamstring injury has prematurely ended his campaign.

Martinez, however, rejected suggestions the size of the squad had contributed to the recent spate of problems.

"Sylvain has played a lot of games this season and has never had a sign of showing fatigue so I would say that was just an action in the game which resulted in an injury," added the Toffees boss.

"With Kevin Mirallas it is the last action of the game and it is an accident as he is trying to reach for the ball.

"I was well aware of making sure the last seven to eight weeks of the season was not a strain for a specific players, particularly the forwards, and we shared the playing time really well.

"I don't think any of the injuries are down to fatigue or lack of planning.

"In football you are going to get contact and sometimes you will be unfortunate but they are not injuries which are down to the minutes players have played."

PA