Everton stars put through their paces by under-pressure Ronald Koeman as Wayne Rooney and Co prepare for crucial Europa League clash with Lyon

  • Everton face Lyon in their third Europa League group stage game on Thursday
  • Ronald Koeman's men are without a win and sit bottom of Group E on one point
  • The Dutchman is under pressure after poor start to the Premier League season
  • Wayne Rooney and Michael Keane among those who trained at Finch Farm
  • Davy Klaassen has urged his team-mates 'to show what we can do' against Lyon

Everton's players geared up for their huge Europa League clash against Lyon with a final training session on Wednesday morning as they bid to turn around their poor start to the season.

Defeat at Goodison Park on Thursday night would leave the Blues with just one point from three games and a mountain to climb as they look to progress to the knockout stage of the competition.

Under-fire manager Ronald Koeman was pictured putting his players through their paces at Finch Farm as they turn their attention away from the Premier League.

Wayne Rooney and his Everton team-mates train before their game against Lyon on Thursday

Wayne Rooney and his Everton team-mates train before their game against Lyon on Thursday

Toffees boss Ronald Koeman says he has the backing of the board despite recent results

Toffees boss Ronald Koeman watches on as he prepares his side for their Europa League clash

Mason Holgate and Michael Keane (left to right) get put through their paces at Finch Farm

Mason Holgate and Michael Keane (left to right) get put through their paces at Finch Farm

Wayne Rooney, who was among those training on Wednesday, rescued a point for his side against Brighton on Sunday after coolly converting an 89th-minute penalty in front of the travelling supporters.


But focus for the Toffees now turns to Europe as they look to bounce back from a humiliating 3-0 defeat at Atalanta and a frustrating 2-2 home draw with Apollon Limassol last time out.

Michael Keane, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Tom Davies were also among those pictured training at the club's Halewood base as they prepare for the visit of last season's Europa League semi-finalists.

Koeman was only missing James McCarthy, who returned to action for the Under 23s on Tuesday night, Seamus Coleman, Yannick Bolasie, Ramiro Funes Mori and Ross Barkley from the session, with the quartet still recovering from long-term injuries. 

Koeman has been backed by majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri and chairman Bill Kenwright, but he remains under pressure to deliver results after spending around £140million during the summer transfer window.

Everton sit 16th in the domestic table on just eight points following the draw at the Amex Stadium, while their European hopes hang in the balance after Limassol's late equaliser at Goodison last month.

Everton's players go for a jog as they prepare for a crucial game with Lyon at Goodison Park

Everton's players go for a jog as they prepare for a crucial game with Lyon at Goodison Park

Wayne Rooney trains with his Everton team-mates ahead of Thursday's clash with Lyon 

Rooney will be hoping to start on Thursday after scoring an equaliser at Brighton on Sunday

Midfielder Tom Davies shows off his control as Koeman's men make their final preparations

Midfielder Tom Davies shows off his control as Koeman's men make their final preparations

The Dutchman could be boosted by the return of Aaron Lennon and Sandro Ramirez to his matchday squad, with the pair spotted taking part in Wednesday's session. 

Davy Klaassen, meanwhile, has urged his team-mates to 'show what we can do' after a dismal run of form which has seen them win just twice in 11 games.

And the former Ajax midfielder, who has not featured in either of Everton's last two fixtures, is hoping to get a chance on Thursday night after reaching last season's Europa League final with his old club.

'I am eager to play, of course – against these types of teams and former team-mates, you really want to play,' Klaassen told evertonfc.com.

'We knew we had a difficult start with a few tough games – but now is the time to win games and show what we can do. 

Sandro Ramirez, Keane and Rooney (left to right) get ready to take part in a drill on Wednesday

Sandro Ramirez, Keane and Rooney (left to right) get ready to take part in a drill on Wednesday

Everton are bottom of Europa League Group E and linger in 16th place in the Premier League

Koeman finds himself under pressure with his side sitting 16th in the Premier League table

Keane and his  team-mates are looking to record their first Europa League win on Thursday

Keane and his team-mates are looking to record their first Europa League win on Thursday

'Lyon have lots of good players. [Bertrand] Traore was really important for us at Ajax last year. I do not think everybody noticed it at the beginning but he is so good with the ball, he dribbles with it and is dangerous all the time.

'[Memphis] Depay is exceptionally talented. When he played for PSV Eindhoven in Holland he was so good, he dominated the league.

'He had a rough time in England but he is picking it up again at Lyon and is doing well.

'And [Kenny] Tete is a really good defender, good in the tackle, strong and fast.'

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