Everton boss Rafa Benitez admits they may not have money to spend in January.

Marcel Brands, Everton's Sporting Director, is under scrutiny to deliver good options for Benitez but after spending £1.7million in his first window, the manager has indicated he will again have to cut his cloth accordingly.

"I had a conversation with Marcel, and he was explaining, not exactly, but more or less the idea," said Benitez, whose side face Tottenham on Sunday. "I think we still have some time to consider what we have to do.

"When you go there and sit down and prepare your plan it may change depending on injuries, depending on the performances of players. I feel that in this case, when we talk about the owner who is someone who has spent £400m in the last years then we cannot blame him for that.

"But, at the same time, it is a pity that we couldn't spend the money this year because of the financial fair play years. We have to be creative and think about how to manage the situation in the best way possible and be sure that in January we can be stronger."

Pressed on whether he has been told what funds are available, Benitez replied: "I think we will have some money to spend but I don't think that will be too much.

"The point is if we consider that Townsend is a free transfer or Demarai is £1.7m, so maybe we can find the right players for us.

"It doesn't matter the price, it is more about the mentality. The fans they know because I could read the comments on the last six months.

"They know the kind of players that you need here, they know the kind of character that you need here and the quality that you are looking for.

"You need to find these players because they are in the market to find them.. If we can buy them, fine. If not we can loan them and make sure that they can stay here with us in the future. We can find solutions and we will try our best."