Everton boss Marco Silva says he's happy with the progress of their U23s.

The young Blues lifted an unprecedented league and cup double last season with the likes of Lewis Gibson, Morgan Feeney, Fraser Hornby and Bassala Sambou joining first-team training at times.

“Maintaining this connection between the first-team and Under-23s is part of our job," Silva said.

“It is really important. The connection between us [first-team staff] and their technical staff is daily.

“We always speak or are in contact.

“We have the Under-23s not only to play their games – it is important they are there to support the first team; that is also their job.

“A very good number of them had the opportunity to work with us during the season.

“That is always important for them and it is important for me, too, to see them working close-up."