Finch Farm buzzes as stars reunite for testing, featuring a first look at new faces and a cryptic kit change for talismanic defender Jarrad Branthwaite.
The Everton players have returned for pre-season, but there are a number of them who are yet to link up with the squad again.
The Everton squad returned to Finch Farm on Friday in order to undergo testing ahead of the 2026/2027 campaign. The first session back is usually a chance for the medical team to assess where each player is at in terms of their fitness levels and assess any potential injury troubles.
Some of the Everton squad won't be returning just yet due to international participation. Others may have been at Finch Farm on Friday but weren't spotted in the social media content.
Who has been spotted at Finch Farm?
In the first set of content Everton released as the lads return for pre-season, some of the squad can be seen in the canteen, excited to be back in the building together again.
Merlin Rohl and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall shared a warm embrace before Adam Aznou and Beto looked delighted to see each other. James Tarkowski and Dewsbury-Hall were then spotted giving each other a hug, while Dwight McNeil and Michael Keane were sat at the table with them.
Everton then released a clip from a gym session where Carlos Alcaraz and Thierno Barry were spotted on the bikes with Aznou. Harrison Armstrong and Tyler Dibling were also seen being put through testing in the gym.
In a further clip documenting Dewsbury Hall's first day back, James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam were also seen with the squad.
In a huge boost for Everton, centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite was being put through his paces along with the rest of the squad. The towering defender is set to be involved in pre-season as normal, although Everton are likely to manage his workload after his recent injury troubles.
Interestingly, Branthwaite was sporting a number four training kit, while others seemingly had their numbers from the previous season. Perhaps a change incoming?
In the full video released by Everton on YouTube, Hayden Hackney and Tyrique George were both seen linking up with their team-mates, with the former likely meeting some of the squad for the first time.
Who wasn't spotted?
Jordan Pickford, Iliman Ndiaye, and Nathan Patterson won't be returning just yet after their involvement at the World Cup. Patterson and Ndiaye have both been knocked out of the tournament with Scotland and Senegal, respectively, while Pickford remains at the competition with England.
Jake O'Brien, Vitalii Mykolenko, Tom King, and Mark Travers weren't seen in the social media content, but all four were involved on international duty in June, which could mean they were granted a little more time off.
Of course, for the first time in a while, there was no Idrissa Gueye or Seamus Coleman, who have both now left the club at the end of their contracts.
Full list of players spotted