Everton manager Roberto Martinez has warned Steven Naismith that competition for places will continue to make it difficult for him to earn a regular starting spot.
Naismith came off the bench to score a hat-trick as the Toffees claimed a 3-1 victory over Chelsea last weekend, after showing his interest in making a move to Norwich City late in the transfer window.
Everton decided to keep the Scotland international at Goodison Park, but Martinez is unwilling to guarantee playing time to any member of his squad.
"With Steven, he is such an incredible professional," the Spaniard told reporters.
"He is an incredible influence and I always said that I really enjoy working with Steven because he has such an intelligent footballing brain. He's a manager's dream, really.
"Then you have to understand that we want to build a winning squad and something that can achieve something special, so it is going to be tougher and harder to get playing time for any player."
Everton make the trip to the Liberty Stadium to meet Swansea City on Saturday.
Callum Mulvihill
