Wayne Rooney trains with Everton team-mates as he prepares to make second competitive debut for Toffees against Ruzomberok in Europa League

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Wayne Rooney was among the Everton stars out on the Finch Farm training pitch on Tuesday as the players prepare for their first competitive game of the season.

While most clubs are still playing their way through pre-season friendlies in all four corners of the globe, Ronald Koeman's side start their season on Thursday night.

MFK Ruzomberok are their opponents in the Europa League third qualifying round, with a trip to Slovakia for the return leg next week.

Wayne Rooney races away from his Everton team-mates during a training game on Tuesday

England's record goalscorer is preparing to make his second competitive debut at Everton

Rooney and Leighton Baines (right) chat to manager Ronald Koeman during the session

Joel Robles, Sandro Ramirez and Kevin Mirallas (left-right) pose for a snap during training

And Koeman put his players through their paces this week as they finalise their plans for the big match at Goodison.

Rooney is expected to make his second competitive debut for the club after returning from Manchester United, while Sandro Ramirez and Michael Keane are among the other players ready to make their bow.

After strengthening this summer, fellow new recruit Jordan Pickford believes the Toffees can go deep into European competition this season. 

'You've just got to look at the investment that's been put into the Club and the players, and the players that were already here, and I think we can go as far as we want to go in the Europa League, really,' the 23-year-old told evertontv. 

Michael Keane has arrived from Burnley and is expected to play a part on Thursday evening

Gareth Barry turns away from the attentions of youngster Dominic Calvert-Lewin (centre)

Fellow new signing Davy Klaassen smiles during training at the club's Finch Farm base

Jonjoe Kenny, Phil Jagielka and Cuco Martina lead the players in a jog at the start of training

'We've got the team, we've got the depth as well, which is massive, especially when you're competing in the Europa League and the Premier League on the weekend as well. 

'There's only place the Club's going to go and that's up. There's massive ambition and that's one of the reasons I came to the Club. We've got to qualify first and we've got two tough qualification games coming up. It's another step again for my career and I think a lot of the younger lads can say the same.' 

Everton's pre-season campaign took them to three countries - Tanzania, Belgium and Holland - where they won two and drew one of their trio of matches. 

Ramirez waits to control the ball; he will hope to get on the scoresheet against Ruzomberok

Jordan Pickford believes the Toffees have what it takes to go far in the Europa League this term

Everton's assistant manager - and former captain - Duncan Ferguson wanders across the pitch