Everton team news confirmed for first pre-season friendly as Blues take on Stade Nyonnais in Switzerland

Academy players hopeful of making an impression will get a big opportunity in Everton’s first game of pre-season.

Joao Virginia, who is looking to take advantage of the departure of Asmir Begovic to step up his responsibilities at the club, starts in goal.

Lewis Warrington, who was on the cusp of the first team squad last season before leaving on loan for Fleetwood Town, also starts – as does the much sought-after Tom Cannon. Cannon is the subject of intense interest from Championships sides eyeing up a loan move for the young striker.

All three could strengthen their cases for staying at Finch Farm this year should they play well against Swiss side Stade Nyonnais. Dyche appears to have lined up in a 4-4-2 formation for the match, with Cannon joined up top by Neal Maupay.

First team regulars Dwight McNeil, Idrissa Gueye, Alex Iwobi and James Tarkowski will start while both full-backs showcase the summer of work behind the scenes as players who ended last season injured make the first eleven.

 

Nathan Patterson starts at right-back in the absence of Seamus Coleman while Ben Godfrey will be at left-back with Vitalii Mykolenko, like Coleman, still at Finch Farm as he deals with injury. Michael Keane also starts, with Dyche set to cast his eye over his partnership with Tarkowski once more.

And Lonergan and Abdoulaye Doucoure are the only senior players on a bench that includes Billy Crellin, Mackenzie Hunt, Ryan Astley, Rhys Welch, Tyler Onyango, Francis Okoronkwo and Katia Kouyate. That means Ashley Young will not get his first run out in Royal Blue.