Ranking 10 Toffees with Biggest Point to Prove in Pre-Season

As the world mourns the end of a month of unrelenting football, attention gradually turns to domestic matters and the upcoming new season.

While those at the World Cup head for rest and recuperation, the English pre-season has already begun.

For Everton, before a series of friendlies begin, the first step is a trip to Austria for some warm-weather training:

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The first-team board their plane ahead of take-off for Austria. #EFC pic.twitter.com/n4iyBaEg1h

— Everton (@Everton) July 14, 2014"

Here's a look at the players most in need of impressing Roberto Martinez during the next few weeks.

Luke Garbutt, John Lundstram, Tyias Browning and Conor McAleny

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Like most Premier League clubs, Everton have a batch of youngsters all desperate to impress during pre-season.

The four players mentioned here are all academy graduates, all at a stage where first team football is vital for their development.

Each has already spent time on loan, but will be attempting to convince Martinez they merit a squad place next season.

With a bumper schedule—including Europa League fixtures—the Catalan can turn to youth a little more often, and may consider keeping more youngsters with the first team.

Luke Garbutt returned from a successful loan spell at Colchester last season after injury to Bryan Oviedo.

The left-back made his Premier League debut against Southampton and will want to show he can become Leighton Baines' permanent deputy.

Tyias Browning was a regular on the bench last season, but finds himself behind Phil Jagielka, Sylvain Distin, Antolin Alcaraz, John Stones and a returning Shane Duffy in the pecking order.

He seems certain to be loaned but will be eager to remind his manager of his potential.

Given Everton's current options, John Lundstram isn't that far away from the first team.

Gareth Barry and James McCarthy are Everton's regular central midfield pairing but behind them is only the frequently injured Darron Gibson. 

A strong pre-season could see Lundstram earn a squad place and even gain the odd Europa League outing.

Finally, Conor McAleny may have to play a prominent role in pre-season.

Everton are yet to bring in a new striker leaving Arouna Kone, Steven Naismith and McAleny as the only current options. A strong pre-season could again lead to some Europa League action for the young forward.

Shane Duffy

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Shane Duffy is one step ahead of the youngsters on the previous slide.

As with all of them, he's experienced loan spells away from the club; the main difference being that he enjoyed an entire season away in the Championship, where he impressed for Yeovil.

With Everton's defensive corps looking particularly bloated at present, it's really now or never for the 22-year-old.

Having played well in the Championship, there's not much more he can do to prove he deserves a run at Everton.

Duffy will be competing with Alcaraz for the fourth centre-back spot and must use this summer to impress.

Antolin Alcaraz

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Antolin Alcaraz arrived from Wigan on a free transfer last season but was restricted to just six starts, mainly due to injury.

The emergence of Stones has seen him slip down the pecking order, and—with Browning and Duffy eager to shine—Alcaraz will need to see off their challenge over the summer.

Jagielka and Distin are Everton's established centre-back tandem, with Stones not too far behind; however, with two fixtures a week for much of the season, Martinez will undoubtedly rotate his defenders.

Fourth choice on a hypothetical depth chart should still receive substantial playing time, leaving Alcaraz, Duffy and Browning with much to play for.

Tony Hibbert

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Moving away from centre-back, Tony Hibbert will want a strong pre-season to put injury woes firmly behind him.

The 33-year-old made one solitary appearance in the Premier League last season and has just four starts in two years.

Having signed a new two-year contract, Hibbert will want to prove his worth and show he is the right man to deputise for Seamus Coleman.

Aiden McGeady

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Aiden McGeady arrived at Everton in January, without a game since November. 

The Irish international had to try and get match-fit in the middle of an intense race for the Champions League, which, for the most part, left him with short cameos.

McGeady will now want to properly introduce himself to Evertonians, and, for that, he needs a strong pre-season.

With Gerard Deulofeu unlikely to return to Merseyside, the explosive winger is one step nearer the first team.

If he can capitalise on the extended holidays of Kevin Mirallas and Ross Barkley, McGeady could earn himself a starting spot in Everton's first line-up of the season.

Darron Gibson

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In between some frustrating, lengthy lay-offs, Darron Gibson has always been considered first choice since joining Everton in 2012.

He spent six months partnering Marouane Fellaini, the best part of a season paired with Leon Osman or Phil Neville and was Martinez's mainstay during last summer's pre-season.

However, serious injury and the arrival of Gareth Barry and James McCarthy has seen Gibson become a forgotten man at Goodison Park.

He will want to re-establish himself during pre-season and compete for a starting spot in midfield.

Arouna Kone

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Finally, Arouna Kone is the player most in need of a strong pre-season at Everton.

As well as regaining fitness, the Ivorian will want to justify his extravagant transfer fee.

Plucked from Wigan for £6 million, per BBC Sport, Kone failed to find the net in six appearances last season, spurning numerous opportunities in the process.

Injury kept him sidelined since October, meaning Evertonians are yet to see him at his best.

Kone needs a strong summer to begin the new season full of confidence. With a fellow forward or two likely to be signed, it's also a chance to press for selection.