Life's a beach for Blues

DAVID Moyes has taken his Everton squad up to Scotland for a preseason training camp.

- By JOE THOMAS Everton FC Correspondent

It is the second getaway he has taken the players on since his return to the club in January, the squad having travelled out to the UAE for a much-needed warm weather escape at the end of February.

It comes with most of the first team having checked in for testing on what was the first day back at Finch Farm on Friday.

With the start of the summer this summer - as well as first team deputies Asmir Begovic and Joao Virginia - there are some even younger faces alongside Tyrer.

George Pickford put in some impressive performances as he donned the gloves for Everton Under-21s for most of last season.

He is out there with England youth international Douglass Lukjanciks.

The 17-year-old is highly-rated and will earn some useful experience on the senior camp.

SQUAD HEADS UP TO SCOTLAND FOR TRAINING

games schedule just a week away - the Blues travel to League Two side Accrington Stanley next Tuesday - here are a few points of note, so far, from the trip up north.

The size of the first team group

It will come as no surprise to anyone that the Blues have needed to take some of the leading lights from the academy to help fill out the squad.

As it stands, Moyes does not have enough senior players to make up a 20-man Premier League matchday squad without dipping into the academy - even if you include Harry Tyrer and starlet Harrison Armstrong.