Martinez - McCarthy form will be rewarded

<a href="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/soccer/2014/8/8/592725header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/soccer/2014/8/8/592725header.jpg" /></a>James McCarthy is the next Everton player in line for a new contract after impressing in his debut season, says Roberto Martinez.<br /> <br /> Martinez has just tied down young defender John Stones to a new five-year contract and is keen to reward the work done by McCarthy since his arrival from Wigan Athletic.<br /> <br /> The pair worked together at the DW Stadium for four years and the 23-year-old midfielder was one of the first players Martinez brought with him to Goodison Park.<br /> <br /> After making his debut against Chelsea last September, McCarthy went on to make 34 appearances as Everton finished fifth in the Premier League table.<br /> <br /> His continued progress has earned him further international recognition with the Republic of Ireland - he now has 23 caps - and Martinez insists a new deal is on the cards.<br /> <br /> "It will be natural. James's contract is already performance related so the longer that he plays he gets a bigger reward," he told the Liverpool Echo.<br /> <br /> "We will always be looking at rewarding players as they do well and James, clearly, is one of those.<br /> <br /> "We always want to keep our young players important at the club and keep rewarding them. That will never change. That goes along with players who change their roles in the squad.<br /> <br /> "We talk a lot about our young players and rightly so, but sometimes we forget that without that solid base of experienced lads behind them you don't go anywhere.<br /> <br /> "We must remember that we have continuity too which is vital."<br /> <br /> Tim Howard, Seamus Coleman and Ross Barkley have also signed new contracts at Goodison Park during the close-season.

Everton James McCarthy Liverpool news news sports Premier League Roberto Martinez Martinez - McCarthy form will be rewarded

James McCarthy is the next Everton player in line for a new contract after impressing in his debut season, says Roberto Martinez. Martinez...

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John John StonesStones eyeing future captaincy

<a href="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/soccer/2014/8/8/592635header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/soccer/2014/8/8/592635header.jpg" /></a>Young defender John Stones said he would "jump" at the chance to captain Everton in the future after signing a new contract.<br /> <br /> Stones, 20, committed his long-term future to the club by penning a five-year deal - a reward for his stellar 2013-14 Premier League campaign.<br /> <br /> And the former Barnsley youth player, who made 26 appearances in his first full season at Goodison Park, told Everton's official website he has the potential to wear the armband just like skipper Phil Jagielka.<br /> <br /> "I'd love to captain Everton," said Stones, who has also earned two international caps for England.<br /> <br /> "It's a massive dream of mine and the big name players that have done it in the past, I would love to follow in their footsteps.<br /> <br /> "I'd like to think that I have the attributes [to be a captain].<br /> <br /> "I'd like to think that I can do it in the future and, if that chance came along, I would jump on it straight away."<br /> <br /> Stones added: "It's been massive for my learning curve to play alongside Jags [Jagielka] and Sylvain [Distin].<br /> <br /> "They are experienced pros and to learn off them day in and day out and in games is helping me as a person.<br /> <br /> "They are leaders and hopefully I can keep learning off them to get better as a player."

Everton football John Stones news news sports Premier League John John StonesStones eyeing future captaincy

Young defender John Stones said he would "jump" at the chance to captain Everton in the future after signing a new contract. Sto...

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