Craig Shakespeare insists his latest role as assistant at Everton is not audition to get back into football management.

The Englishman was recently sacked by Leicester City after taking over from Claudio Ranieri in February.

He lead the club to the quarter finals of the Champions League and staved off relegation before being sacked after a poor start to this season.

Shakespeare will take the reins of Everton's first-team against Apollon Limassol on Thursday in the absence of Sam Allardyce, who is unable to attend the match.

Asked if the opportunity is an audition, Shakespeare said: "I don't see it like that," he said. "It's an opportunity for the players. When you come into any new club you form impressions about players, they form opinions about you.

"Its an opportunity for me to get to know the players better, and for them to get to know me as well."