Everton handed injury boost in first USA training session, but one player unexpectedly withdrawn

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Everton are now based in the United States for the next week or so, where they will take on some of their Premier League rivals in the Summer Series.

David Moyes was seen taking in the conditions in New Jersey as he donned his sunglasses whilst his side trained in the heat.

The Toffees have landed in New York on the back of three pre-season friendlies already.

Everton won their behind-closed-doors friendly against Port Vale earlier this week, which saw Carlos Alcaraz become the first goalscorer at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

However, it has not all been good news for Everton over recent days.

Moyes is demanding more signings to be made after only welcoming two new faces since the market opened.

Adding to that, Everton were forced to leave Jarrad Branthwaite at Finch Farm following a minor injury he picked up on the weekend.

But some good news has now emerged from across the pond.

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James Tarkowski returns to full Everton training

Injuries have been a real issue for Moyes since he returned to the club, and he lost James Tarkowski towards the end of last season.

Tarkowski vowed to be back from injury for pre-season and he has done exactly that.

Liverpool Echo reporter Christopher Beesley is currently over in New York and has been watching Everton’s first training session.

“James Tarkowski took part in a mini training game drill towards the end of the session while the goalkeepers were put through their paces separately, although Michael Keane and Seamus Coleman did not take part in this section,” he said.

This will be a timely boost for Moyes who has now lost Branthwaite for the trip to the United States.

However, Michael Keane’s absence from training in this section may concern some.

Everton are looking to bolster their defence in the market, but there are plenty of requirements from Moyes before the window shuts.

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Michael Keane’s training absence may worry Everton fans

Beesley does suggest that Keane participated in training, just not in the final section where Tarkowski was introduced.

This could be a precautionary measure given Everton’s options are already being stretched.

But this does not provide the fans with optimism ahead of the new season when players are already being rested to prevent any further injury issues.

Jake O’Brien is available to play at centre-back, but then that will leave questions as to whether Nathan Patterson is good enough to be the starting right-back.

There is still time to fix these issues in the market, but the early stages of pre-season are only highlighting the holes in Moyes’ squad.