Steven Naismith has bought tickets for Everton home games to donate to unemployed people across Liverpool. The 27-year-old forward, who joined the club from Rangers in 2012, said: “I come from Ayrshire in the west of Scotland and spent a lot of my life in Glasgow – a city that, at times, has suffered from high unemployment.

“Liverpool has a similar history and I am aware that, through no fault of their own, there are many unemployed in Liverpool trying hard to find a job who may not be able to afford a ticket. I thought this might be a small gesture to help those in that situation to enjoy a day out at one of our league matches. Hopefully it can bring some joy to many people.

“I have asked the Jobcentre Plus if they could give the tickets to different jobcentres across the city each week and select people who are unemployed through no fault of their own, are trying hard to find employment and who would enjoy watching a Premier League match.”

Naismith is no stranger to charity work and helps homeless centres in Liverpool and Glasgow. He also launched a project in Glasgow to help injured service personnel back into mainstream employment and is an ambassador for Dyslexia Scotland.

The Scotland international said: “Every day I feel very fortunate for the opportunities and lifestyle my job as a footballer has afforded my family and me and also to be in the position where I can help the community in some small way.”

Naismith scored the Everton goal in their 1-1 friendly draw with Porto at Goodison Park on Sunday but it was the sight of the £28m signing, Romelu Lukaku, being paraded around the pitch at half-time that brought some of the biggest cheers. Lukaku is unlikely to play in any of the club’s remaining pre-season friendlies, although Roberto Martínez still believes the Belgian striker will be fit for the opening game of the Premier League season at Leicester City.

Lukaku, who scored 16 goals while on loan at Everton from Chelsea last season, played for Belgium in the World Cup and started training with the club again only on completion of his transfer last week. Everton have two remaining friendlies – against Celta Vigo at Tranmere’s Prenton Park on Wednesday before they travel to the Bundesliga new boys SC Paderborn on Saturday.

“Romelu’s a young man,” Martínez said. “It’s when you’re over 30 that your body needs to go through specific routines. The period he’s had is long enough for him to refresh but not long enough for him to detrain. He’s not going to be involved in Germany as I make sure he’s ready for the start of the season.”

Martínez is hopeful of completing the signing of the 18-year-old Anderlecht striker David Henen who was at the Porto match on Sunday. The manager is also looking to secure the loan of the Chelsea and Ghana winger Christian Atsu.