MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - APRIL 8: Mark Travers of Middlesbrough reacts during the Sky Bet Championship match between Middlesbrough FC and Leeds United FC at Riverside Stadium on April 8, 2025 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Ed Sykes/Getty Images)
MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - APRIL 8: Mark Travers of Middlesbrough reacts during the Sky Bet Championship match between Middlesbrough FC and Leeds United FC at Riverside Stadium on April 8, 2025 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Ed Sykes/Getty Images)
Preparations for Everton’s first pre-season friendlies are underway. David Moyes will take his side to Accrington Stanley on Tuesday night before a trip to Blackburn Rovers at the weekend ahead of the Premier League Summer Series event in the USA.
The Blues will need to blend youth with experience for those fixtures given the size of his threadbare squad and with those players who had international action after the season ended needing time to get up to speed.
That will present opportunities to youngsters, including the likes of goalkeeper Harry Tyrer and Under-21s player of the season, Isaac Heath.
Moyes has already secured two summer signings as his rebuild gathers pace, with Carlos Alcaraz and Thierno Barry having already joined his project.
The Blues are on the cusp of a third with Mark Travers set to undergo a medical as he closes on a move from Bournemouth.
The 26-year-old goalkeeper would arrive as back-up to Jordan Pickford and would fill a slot need to address after the exits of Joao Virginia and Asmir Begovic.
But there's plenty more to do elsewhere in the squad including in the centre of midfield with Juventus' former Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz a player who is said to be of interest to the Blues.