Rafa Benitez has responded to transfer rumours surrounding the futures of both James Rodriguez and Moise Kean as the summer window draws to a close.
The pair have both been subject to intense speculation over recent weeks, with numerous reports suggesting their long-term futures could lie away from Goodison Park.
The former is still isolating after coming into contact with someone who has Covid-19, with more recent comments made on his Twitch channel catching the attention of Blues supporters.
However, Benitez was clear that he could not comment on the future of the Colombia international beyond the end of the transfer window as of yet.
The boss told his pre-Leeds press conference: "Until 31st of August, yes he's in my plans.
"Obviously I can understand people want to know everything. The situation at the moment is that he's our player until 31st of August.
"He was not available last week, he will not be available this week. But, hopefully, he will be fine for next week and we can carry on with training sessions and see what happens until the end of the transfer window."
Turning his attention to Kean, Benitez revealed that the striker could be in contention for this weekend's fixture against Leeds after returning to Finch Farm this week.
However, he is another whose future remains up-in-the-air, and the manager has made clear he will be working hard with the forward until the end of the window at least.
"Still we have some [injury] issues," Benitez added.
"Moise Kean, for example, was coming back - so we have new faces but still we have some problems.
"Moise Kean is the one that's coming back at the moment. Until the 31st August we have to be sure the players give everything, and after that we will know exactly who is in our squad.
"At the moment he has been training, he was ok, and he's another option we have up front."
The transfer window runs until the end of this month, with Everton scheduled to play three matches in that time.
Benitez admits that he has to cope with that fact both in terms of incoming and outgoing players, and reiterated that he remains focused on making sure everyone in the current squad is up to the right standards.
"You know that we have until the end of August, until the last day and last minute, a lot of speculation," the Everton manager added.
"We have to keep working with the players that are here, available. That's it, that's the only thing I can say.
"Football now is what it is. We have the transfer window open, we are playing games, and we have to cope with that.
"If we have a new addition that can improve the team and strengthen the squad I will be happy. In the meantime I will make sure that the players here give everything and understand what we are trying to do.
"I am happy with that because they did really well the other day, and hopefully it will be the same in the next game."
