LIVERPOOL -- Everton will stick with Tim Howard next season after manager Roberto Martinez ruled out signing a new goalkeeper this summer.
The U.S. international has had an inconsistent season, but both he and Martinez have previously dismissed reports linking him with a return to Major League Soccer.
Howard, 36, has said repeatedly that he plans to stay at Everton until his contract expires in 2018 and then retire after that year's World Cup in Russia.
Martinez tried without success to sign a goalkeeper in January as Howard was recovering from a calf injury.
But with the former Manchester United man back to full fitness, Everton plan to go into next season with the four keepers now on their books -- Howard, Joel Robles and youngsters Jindrich Stanek and Russell Griffiths.
Asked if he would look to sign a goalkeeper this summer, Martinez said: "No. The goalkeeping situation is clear.
"We have Tim Howard, Joel Robles, Jindrich Stanek and Russell Griffiths. They're going to be the four goalkeepers we'll work with next season. We're really strong in that position."
Martinez, though, has had talks with chairman Bill Kenwright to plan transfer activity this summer, with the club looking to strengthen in "three or four positions."
The manager said: "We've sat down. But we haven't had the opportunity to go into real details with figures.
"I think that where we are now, we have the idea of becoming very strong next season. We want to use this campaign to build for success next season. It's very important. That means we need to keep hold of all the good performers we've had this campaign.
"We've identified three positions, probably four positions, in which we need to strengthen in order to help the players we have. That's where we are.
"It's important that, in fighting or the next nine points, we set good standards in order to finish the season strongly before we plan for any future squad."
There is a possibility that Martinez may have to plan for an early start to next season if Everton qualify for Europe via the Fair Play League.
England are in contention gain an extra place in next season's Europa League through UEFA's Fair Play standings -- and it is likely to go to either the Toffees or West Ham.
The top three leagues in UEFA's Fair Play rankings get the bonus European place, with England currently lying third, behind the Republic of Ireland and Netherlands.
Teams who qualify for the Europa League via the Fair Play standings enter the competition in the first qualifying round -- with the first leg taking place on July 2.
Martinez said: "The Fair Play League is something I don't want to think about, because over the years, there have been a lot of twists and turns that you can't really control.
"I don't want to waste any time on that. Whatever happens, we'll take it."