SYLVAIN DISTIN believes Everton’s emerging youngsters are providing the injection of fresh blood the squad needs ahead of the new season.

The lack of signings thus far during the transfer window has presented an opportunity to a clutch of Academy graduates and reserves during pre-season.

Highly-rated teenage midfielder Ross Barkley was an impressive performer while starting Tuesday night’s 1-0 friendly defeat

Magaye Gueye has netted three times in recent games while both Apostolos Vellios and Conor McAleny have also figured.

And while praising Barkley, veteran centre-back Distin believes the strong youth policy can reap dividends for the Goodison outfit.

“He’s good in training and he’s doing well during the game and he’s exactly what we need, some fresh blood like that to just come in and make me feel a bit older and just give something a bit different to the squad,” said Distin.

“He can be a great player but we’ve got a few more players like that, we’ve got Conor (McAleny), Magaye (Gueye) and Tollis (Vellios) is doing well when he comes on and that’s good news for the club.”