Everton manager considers sending Johnny Heitinga on loan

Everton boss Roberto Martinez has admitted that he would allow Dutch defender Johnny Heitinga leave the Merseyside on a loan deal in January, if he fails to break into the starting lineup.

Heitinga has not featured for the Toffees in the Premier League this season, and manager Roberto Martinez has insisted that he wants to keep hold of the Dutch International, but could allow him to move on a temporary basis during the New Year in his quest for first-team action to seal a berth in the Netherlands squad for the World Cup finals in Brazil next year.


"Johnny is a top footballer and if he doesn't play many minutes, we will try to see if we can help him in January," Martinez said. "But ideally, I would like Johnny to start playing and have a big role on the pitch as much as he has off it. Sometimes the fans don't see that side. I really admire and value that."


Heitinga joined the Toffees from Atletico Madrid in 2009.