There is plenty of football left this season, from the winners and losers in the cups to those chasing a target in the league, but attention will soon turn toward next season and the inevitable changes that follow. One such area needing attention is contract extensions, and this is no different at Everton.
Of those reaching the end of their current deals, Sylvain Distin recently extended his Goodison career by another year. However, the fate of the other two players closing on expiration, Apostolos Vellios and Tony Hibbert, remains unclear at present.
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The smart money is on Vellios departing at the end of this campaign, with the young forward without a league start in two seasons and yet to feature this season. However, unlike Vellios, Hibbert appears in line for a new deal.
Roberto Martinez recently praised the veteran full-back amid reports of a one-year extension in the summer. "The role he has is not like other players who can only help the team by playing at the weekend. Tony's role is bigger than that. He helps us develop and he will always have a role at Everton for me".
Hibbert is a one-club man, who has served the Blues well since his debut in March 2001, and sits fourth on the Everton's Premier League appearance list (260) behind Tim Howard (284), David Unsworth (302) and Leon Osman (309).
High up on the Premier League list, the tough-tackling right back heads a different appearance list, one full of prestigious names from Everton's illustrious past, with more European outings than any other player in a royal blue jersey (20).
Starting out as a midfielder, which may surprise many as ability on the ball is not a strength, Hibbert converted to right back and formed part of the 1998 FA Youth Cup winning side.
Famed for his tackling, Hibbert embodies a by-gone era. Black boots, long sleeves, socks pulled up to a sensible length, the Huyton-born right back is a no-nonsense anomaly in a modern game full of peroxide hair and football boots brighter than the sun.
Something of a cult hero, with cries of "shoot" greeting possession in the opposing half and supporters "rioting" when Hibbert scored in his 2012 pre-season testimonial, the defender currently holds the club record for most competitive appearances without a goal (319).
Nonetheless, entering the twilight of his career, turning 33 on Thursday, the question is whether or not Martinez should extend this one-club relationship to a fourteenth season, or say "thanks but no thanks, Tony".
With age, competition and recent injuries against him, the logical, non-sentimental option is to release Hibbert at the end of the season. Renewal is inevitably cheaper than the arrival of a new player, although the hope is Everton do not look to cut corners and take this route.
Once a reliable option, injuries have taken their toll in recent seasons. Hibbert has started just five matches since August 2012. His only start this season came against Stevenage in the League Cup. His overall playing time is a paltry 78 minutes, and Martinez preferred young centre-back John Stones in the recent absence of Seamus Coleman.
Needing genuine competition at right back, with Stones struggling to adjust when called upon, the prospect of Hibbert filling the void for a sustained period -- should injury befall Coleman again -- is both unlikely and disconcerting given his injury record of late.
Time has caught up with the long-serving defender, as it does with everyone -- there is no shame in that. Everton must unearth reliable, consistent back up for the right back position and unfortunately, that is no longer Hibbert. For that reason alone, this seems like the opportune moment to sever those 13-year ties and thank the player for his impeccable no-frills service.