Peterlin added: “The trial period I was there was great. To play alongside some great names like Phil Neville, Tim Cahill and Tim Howard was an experience.

“Their poise on the ball was terrific and they demand the highest level out of your play every time out.”

Senior stars Yakubu, Phil Neville, Dan Gosling and Leon Osman all reported back for pre-season training at Finch farm yesterday, before heading to Scotland for a short training camp.

“It’s good to be back,” said Leon Osman. “It’s been nice to have a break and recharge the batteries but now the hard work begins again.

“It’s also great to see all the lads who are here again – everyone’s happy to be back and the banter’s in full flow already. Now we’ve just got to focus on being ready for Arsenal and what will hopefully be another successful season for us.”

The Blues will spend four days north of the border, before returning on Friday for the opening pre-season friendly at Bury. The match forms the curtain-raiser to the League Two club’s 125th anniversary season.

It will be The Shakers’ first game since the disappointment of missing out on promotion after losing to Shrewsbury in the League Two play-offs, and Everton’s first match since the FA Cup final disappointment.

Everton skipper Neville, raised in Bury, said: “I think everyone knows about my links to the club and it will be a pleasure to go back there. I’m sure it will be an enjoyable day but it also represents the first game of what is a very important pre-season for us.”

The Blues will field a number of youngsters, with players involved in end of season clashes, like England defender Joleon Lescott, not due to return to training until next week, while Steven Pienaar, Tim Cahill, Tim Howard, Jack Rodwell and Joseph Yobo have been given a further fortnight’s rest after their exertions in the Confederations Cup, European Under-21 Championships and World Cup qualifiers.