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EVERTON under-21s will face Porto as part of this season’s Premier League International Cup.

The young Blues have been invited to play in the second season of the competition after taking part in the inaugural International Cup last term.

Everton have been drawn in Group B alongside Porto, Schalke and Tottenham Hotspur.

David Unsworth’s side made it out of the group stage last season but lost out to Leicester City in the quarter-finals on penalties.

The Blues’ second string play the first of their three matches on Monday, August 31 against last season’s losing finalists Porto.

Everton then have to wait until October 20 for their second fixture, which sees them face Schalke.

And the final Group B game takes place November 22 against Porto.

All of Everton’s group games will be played at Goodison Park.

“The Premier League International Cup provides exactly the sort of high level competitive opportunities for the 18-21 age group that we had in mind when we launched the Elite Player Performance Plan in 2012, Premier League Director of Youth, Ged Roddy, said.

“It is testament to the success of last season’s competition that all of the international sides involved are back again and excited to be part of the 2015/16 Premier League International Cup, and we are extremely pleased that Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur will be taking part for the first time.

“This season’s competition will pit some of the top home-grown players in the country against their international counterparts and I can’t wait for it to get started.”

Everton v Tottenham, Monday 31 August, 2pm.

Everton v Schalke, Tuesday 20 October, 7pm.

Everton v Porto, Sunday 22 November, 12pm.

Everton u-21s open their Premier League season on Monday, August 10 against Spurs (12pm).

There are four groups in the International Cup with the top two in each group progressing to the quarter-final stage.