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Wayne Rooney joined Everton team-mates in getting bus to airport for trip
Everton face MFK Ruzomberok in second leg of Europa qualifier with a 1-0 lead
Rooney and Co were put through their paces at Finch Farm earlier in the day

Published: 11:17 EDT, 2 August 2017 | Updated: 12:05 EDT, 2 August 2017

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Wayne Rooney stopped off to sign autographs for some young Everton fans as he and the squad departed for Slovakia.

The players were pictured prior to taking the bus to John Lennon Airport in casual club attire and had enjoyed a training session earlier in the day.

Ronald Koeman's side are taking a 1-0 lead into the second leg of their Europa League third-round qualifier against MFK Ruzomberok.

Wayne Rooney took time out to stop and sign autographs for some young Everton fans

Ademola Lookman will be hoping for some more game time to impress Ronald Koeman

Morgan Schneiderlin was among the squad flying out from Liverpool's John Lennon Airport

Ahead of the game, Rooney and Co were being put through their paces by Koeman at Finch Farm during an overcast afternoon on Merseyside.

The Dutchman will be keen to ensure there is no compalcency in the ranks with only a slender advantage being carried into Thursday's encounter.

Leighton Baines' 20-yard effort was enough for the Goodison Park outfit to claim victory last time out.

Everton's new signings were among the players exterting themselves in training and one among their number, Davy Klaasen, believes his side are constantly improving.

Koeman's side carry a slender 1-0 advantage into the Europa League qualifier

Sandro Ramirez (left) and Davy Klaassen took part in training at Finch Farm

Mason Holgate attempts to bring the ball under his control as he takes part in a drill

He told the club's website: 'The key is to know each other and understand what your teammate is going to do with the ball.

'You have to get that special feeling with each other. That has to grow but it is possible.

'I have already got to know my teammates more and more and that has proven important. We will be better this week than before and, hopefully, it will continue like that.

'We know it will be a tough game but if we show our quality we know we can progress.'