Everton boss Roberto Martinez says his young team are ready for their Capital One Cup clash with Middlesbrough.

Many have suggested that their lack of experience will make it difficult to perform in both the league and the cups, as last season's Europa League experience proved.

Yet as he prepares to visit Middlesbrough for the Capital One Cup quarter-final on Tuesday night, Martinez declared: “We are in a position now where the squad is ready to cope with two competitions — even three, with the FA Cup.

“I don't think it's such a big worry now, we are not weak in numbers. Because of what happened in Europe last season we are ready to cope.

“We have a young group of players who, in my eyes, are as good as anything in Europe and we do not want to hide from the responsibility of representing a club like ours.

“We know we can reach some sort of history in our football club. That's the mentality we are creating and embracing that situation. I don't see that as pressure, it's the opposite."