“Losing to Chelsea was a disappointment at the end of what had been a successful season but I’ve got no doubts that it will motivate them and spur them on again.

“I’m sure now that you will see us get stronger as the weeks go by and now that the big players are back on board, you’ll see the Everton everyone knows.”

Whether any new faces will be seen on board by the end of the week, however, is a matter of some conjecture.

Everton are still waiting to hear whether they have clinched the signing of Swede Rasmus Elm after he was shown around Finch Farm last Friday.

Marseille’s captain Lorik Cana, meanwhile, has again gone public in his desire to speak with Everton officials but a move for the Albanian is not on the cards.

The saga surrounding Kyle Naughton’s move from Sheffield United, though, could soon reach a conclusion – but not in the manner every Evertonian wants. Sources in London were growing in confidence last night that Naughton and Kyle Walker will move to Tottenham but it is understood that talks are still ongoing.

EVERTON’S Dan Gosling played the full game for England last night in their 1-1 draw with Switzerland in the European Under-19 Championships and was booked. England took a 34th minute lead through Leicester’s Joe Mattock but Sebastien Wuthrich equalised in the third minute of second half stoppage time to earn the Swiss a point in Donetsk.