Everton captain Phil Jagielka says that he is happy to be back in training as the Blues start pre-season today, but admits he might wake up stiffer tomorrow than he did today.

The Everton players not involved in the European Championships or the Copa America were back at Finch Farm this morning as Ronald Koeman takes control of his first training session at Everton, and Jagielka said that he hopes the manager lets them get the balls out soon.

It seems a far cry from the days when Jagielka first joined Everton, where the first day of pre-season would involve running until you threw up, but he says it still takes a lot out of the players.

“I’ll probably wake up tomorrow a bit stiffer than I did today,” said Jagielka.

“But that’s part and parcel of pre-season and hopefully we can get the balls out as quick as possible and make the running a bit more disguised.

“Everyone seems to have come back in great shape the excitement is there and we just have to wait and see how this season unfolds.”

On his new manager, Jagielka says that he hopes Ronald Koeman can get his ideas across to the team quickly in order to have a positive season.

“A lot has changed over the course of pre-season,” he added.

“It’s been great to get in and meet people and hopefully start off positively.

“We’ve all been in contact over the summer waiting for the announcement to finally get made.

“There’s still quite a few boys to come back to add to the squad but it’s nice to come back in and get to say hello to the new members of staff.

“[Koeman] was a fantastic player and he’s proven to be a fantastic coach as well so hopefully he can put his ways forward to the team with his coaching staff and we can have a positive season.”