Everton handed double boost for Blackburn Rovers friendly...

Everton handed double boost for Blackburn Rovers friendly

After a draw with Accrington Stanley earlier in the week, Everton is anticipated to make significant changes for their preseason

friendly against Blackburn Rovers.

When Valerien Ismael’s team hosts Premier League opponents at Ewood Park, they are getting ready for a major improvement in

quality. The three clubs’ hat-trick of games is over as a result.

Rovers’ first game of the summer ended in a 2-1 victory on Saturday. On Tuesday night, Everton played at the Wham Stadium, but

they were held to a 1-1 draw.

David Moyes named a mixed XI against Accy, with household names such as Michael Keane, Dwight McNeil, Jarrad Branthwaite and

James Garner starting alongside a mix of young players.

The biggest contrast was in goal, where home-grown prospect Harry Tyrer started. That was due to the absence of a senior goalkeeper

available to Everton.

Asmir Begovic and Joao Virginia left at the end of last month after their contracts expired. England number one, Jordan Pickford,

wasn’t an option either after been given a prolonged sabbatical owing to his international heroics earlier this summer.

Pickford, though, is back in training with Everton and might play this weekend. They have also signed Mark Travers from

Bournemouth this week in a £4million deal, who will be number two on Merseyside.

After taking a sabbatical after serving in Senegal, fellow internationals Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye have also returned. However,

since their preseason fitness lags behind that of their teammates, they might not play.

According to the Liverpool Echo, several of Tuesday’s replacements might start. That would bring in players like Jake O’Brien, who

could play right or centre back, and Beto, who scored at Accrington. Youngster Isaac Heath is also in contention after winning the

penalty that Beto converted.