Everton took to the pitch for the first time on Thursday as part of their short warm weather mid-season training break to Dubai.

Sam Allardyce’s men made the most of the UAE sun and went through their paces at Nad Al Sheba complex at Meydan.

The Blues arrived on Wednesday evening and are staying close to the city’s iconic Burj Al Arab.

Given the Toffees’ next fixture isn’t until Saturday February 24 at Watford, Everton have used the gap in the fixture list to train in more favourable conditions.

Among the travelling party was Argentine Ramiro Funes Mori, who is stepping up his recovery after being sidelined with an ACL injury since March 2017.

It is the third time in as many seasons the Merseysiders have travelled to the city.