The Everton coach said: “The aims are always the same in that it is all about players progressing.

“It is similar circumstances as in recent years that the first team is a little low on numbers so there will be opportunities for some.

“Already we have seen players who are still under-18s involved. Jose Baxter and Shane Duffy were on the bench against Arsenal. And we want that conveyor belt to keep going.

“One of the things we are very proud about tis hat over the last 15 years there has been a young player make a start or debut every single season. We would hope the same would happen this year. At the moment we can’t quite say who that will be, but we are hopeful that it will be somebody.

“The knock-on effect is that players move up age groups quicker. “Unfortunately the two who played a lot last year in the U18s in Ross Barkley and Hallum Hope – who are still both schoolboys this year – are currently out injured. Ross Barkley broke a metatarsal in his foot and it about two weeks away from a return. Hallum Hope is a little nearer a return and has been away on an England training camp this week. But he hasn’t played much in pre-season. But there will again be opportunities for other schoolboys throughout the season.”

He added: “Although winning is not the aim, it certainly helps development from a confidence point of view. And we are part of the wider footballing world, so it is important they know how to win. We certainly don’t neglect that part and every game we play we obviously want to win and go out to win. But in doing that we don’t lose sight of the greater goal which is the progression of the players.”

As well as Barkley and Hope, Gerard Kinsella is also injured with an ankle problem. He is likely to be out for another two weeks.

EVERTON UNDER-18s SQUAD: Goalkeepers – Lars Stubaug, Adam Davies, Connor Roberts. Defenders – Moses Barnett, James McCarten, Shane Duffy, Aristote Nsiala, Jake Bidwell, Luke Garbutt, Daniel Murphy, Adam Cummins. Midfielders – Hope Akpan, George Krenn, Nathan Craig, Adam Forshaw, Gerard Kinsella, John Nolan, Thomas Donegan, Ryan Watson, Femi Orenuga, Zac Thompson, Luke Dobie. Forwards – Karl Sheppard, Lewis Codling, Conor McAleny.