Everton boss Roberto Martinez relishing Christian Atsu return despite Chelsea recall talk

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has ended talk of Christian Atsu returning to Chelsea this January and is relishing the winger's return from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Atsu, who signed from Portuguese giants Porto in the summer of 2014, moved to Goodison Park on a season-long loan in July.

But the Ghana international has started just one Premier League game this season, making a handful of further appearances off the bench and in the Europa League.

His lack of game time recently prompted reports that Chelsea will seek to end the loan deal in order to find the winger a new club for the second half of the season, with promotion hopefuls Derby County recently credited with keen interest.

However, Martinez has indicated he no intention of allowing Atsu to return to the west London club and is hoping he can have help improve Everton's fortunes following his return from international duty.

"We have been missing too many players, even up to the extent of losing someone like Christian Atsu who was getting stronger – this would have been a good period for him to be available," Martinez was quoted as saying by the Liverpool Echo.

"When he comes back from the African Nations Cup, he could join some players who will make us really strong again in numbers.

"The quality has always been there and we showed last season the squad is good enough to achieve big things and that is something we aim to achieve in the next few weeks."

Chelsea's loan policy has already seen 27 players leave the club on temporary deals this term, with a host of young players having extended their respective deals to the end of the season.

Nathaniel Chalobah is the latest to leave the club, with Championship side Reading confirming his arrival until the end of the season.

Chalobah, 21, spent the first half of the season on loan at Burnley but failed to hold down a first-team role in Sean Dyche's side. The midfielder appeared poised to join League 1 side Bordeaux earlier this month until Fifa regulation prevented him from joining a side outside of England.