Everton FC's Carlo Nash eager to show he can compete with Tim Howard

"I love competing for places though and you need that in any team to get the best out of players.

"I think the main factor depends on Tim's fitness. Obviously he's number one and I just have to wait for a chance to play. Hopefully, if I get a chance, I'll do the best I can."

Nash has plenty of league experience, most notably at Preston, Stockport and Manchester City, although his last senior football came on loan at Stoke at the end of the 2007/08 season.

But while tonight's friendly comes just four days after Everton started pre-season training, Nash does not believe the game has come too early in their preparations.

"Do I think it's too soon? No, not at all. It's good to get back in the swing of things. Even if we've not quite got our eyes back in, it's good to get some match practice in early doors."

While Everton are starting their prepartions for the new season early, though, they will have to wait to kick off the season proper.

Everton's opening game of the campaign, at home to Arsenal, has been moved to 5:15pm on Saturday August 15 and will be the first game delivered domestically by the American and worldwide sportscasting giant, ESPN.

Everton are not scheduled for ESPN again until their trip to Old Trafford in November, but they are listed for three live appearances on Sky Sports at Fulham and Portsmouth in September, and for the Goodison derby in November.

The trip to Fulham has been put back to Sunday, September 13 (4.15pm) and the Portsmouth clash an early kick off (12.45pm) on Saturday, September 26.

The Goodison derby will be Sunday, November 29 at 1.30pm.

Leeds, meanwhile, have revealed they have rejected offers from two unnamed Premier League clubs for Fabian Delph as well as approaches for Jermaine Beckford.

A host of top-flight clubs, including Arsenal, Everton and most recently Aston Villa, have been linked with £6million rated 19-year-old Delph.

The England Under-21 midfielder, who was voted Football League Young Player of the Year last term, is widely regarded as one of the most promising young talents on these shores.

Beckford, meanwhile, scored 34 goals for the Yorkshire club last season but was placed on the transfer list back in May having failed to agree new terms and with his contract set to expire next summer.

An official statement on Leeds United's website read: "Leeds United can confirm that we have received offers direct from two Premier League clubs for Fabian Delph.

"The offers have been rejected.

"It is not the club's usual policy to comment on speculation.

"However, in these circumstances we felt it appropriate to clarify the situation.

"Approaches have also been made in respect of Jermaine Beckford which have also been rejected."