Toffees prepare for Europe

Everton's gruelling pre-season trip to the Far East and Turkey will stand them in good stead for their first foray into the Champions League, according to assistant manager Alan Irvine.

The Goodison men fly out to Thailand for a week to take part in the four-team Asia Trophy before they move on to play Fenerbahce on July 30.

It is a busy schedule for the Toffees as they build towards their Champions League qualifier in early August but after a goalless draw against Motherwell at Fir Park, Irvine wanted to talk up the positives of the excursions.

He said: "We go to Thailand and play in a tournament with Bolton, Manchester City and the national side.

"We play the first game against the national team and depending on that result and how the other game goes, we`ll see who we play after that.

"That will be a week long and then we go to Fenerbahce and all that is a great dress rehearsal for Europe next season.

"Even though it's friendly it could be a hostile environment and that will be a good test for us. It will be very tough."

Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta, who signed for £2.8m from Real Sociedad on Friday after a loan spell at Goodison last season, was one of the better performers after coming on as a second half substitute and Irvine insists the Spaniard has a huge part to play in the Merseysiders' fortunes in the forthcoming campaign.

He said: "Mikel came on loan last season and he was very influential in the run-in and everyone up in Scotland knew how good he was after his spell with Rangers.

"He is a good footballer and he adds quality to the our side.

"We could maybe do with a couple of more players but we will be ready for the start of the season."

New signing Simon Davies was ruled out of the game against the Lanarkshire side with a calf injury and James Beattie still has a bit of a thigh strain but both will be fit to travel to Thailand with the Goodison squad.