Everton manager Roberto Martínez will dip into the transfer market in January to offset the long-term losses of striker Arouna Koné and midfielder Darron Gibson
Both Koné and Gibson are out with long-term knee injuries and Martínez is pessimistic about their chances of playing again this season.
It leaves Martínez's squad short on numbers but he has indicated the club have already targeted potential signings ahead of next month's transfer window opening.
Martínez led Everton to their first win at Manchester United in 21 years on Wednesday
"We are going to use the window in January to try to help the team because we lost two players for the long term," said the Spaniard.
"Arouna and Darron are two very important players for us so we will try to see if we can identify one or two players that can help the group.
"We have been working hard to identify who can help the group and that is what we are looking for in January."
James McCarthy and Gareth Barry were just two men who joined Everton in the summer
Koné had had an operation to repair damaged cartilage and Martínez has all but written off his chances of playing a part later in the campaign.
"Arouna started the first part of his recovery and it is going to be long-term, as expected," he added. "I don't think we are going to see Arouna this season.
"If we can get him back for the final two months he will have done really well. There was a big chunk of cartilage that had to be repaired in his knee.
United 0-1 Everton
"In the same manner we are hoping we can see Darron Gibson before the season ends but clearly it is a long-term injury as well."