Roberto Martinez was full of praise for his Everton team who are on the verge of securing a top-half finish.

The Toffees were hanging around the bottom three not too long ago but are now sitting 11th on the Premier League table ahead of Saturday's trip to West Ham United.

In a different scenario are the Hammers, who were sitting in the top four earlier in the campaign, but have slipped to 10th - the position that Martinez wants.

"It shows you how difficult it is to get results over 10 months. That is the nature of the Premier League," said the Spaniard.

"We are both trying to finish in the top 10 and that brings a direct rivalry.

"We have shown incredible character and personality to give ourselves a chance. We need to make sure we take advantage of the chance we have given ourselves.

"We want to bring three or four players to make sure that we have a strongest group for next season."