Neal Maupay blown away by Everton team-mate in pre-season training

Neal Maupay believes the fitness of his oldest Everton team-mate is “crazy” after witnessing him in action at Finch Farm.

The striker returned to the Everton squad for the start of pre-season on Monday having spent the last campaign on loan at Brentford.

The first week has seen him link back up with old friends - and get to know new ones better.

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Of those he has been most impressed by is Ashley Young, who turned 39 on Tuesday. Maupay did spend pre-season with the veteran last year after Young moved across from Aston Villa several weeks before the deal that took the forward to Brentford on transfer deadline day.

But despite having seen him in action before, the 27-year-old heaped praise on Young, telling talkSPORT: “Young is flying. We actually did some physical tests on Monday and Tuesday and he is always on top. It was his birthday on Tuesday, turning 39 - t's crazy. And he is still flying. It is amazing. He is a top pro and a top guy.”

The departure of squad goalkeeper Andy Lonergan this summer has left Young as the oldest player in Sean Dyche’s squad. The Premier League and Serie A winner extended his stay on Merseyside by signing a 12-month deal ahead of the club’s return to training.