Mina to begin Everton training on Thursday

Everton’s deadline-day signing Yerry Mina will begin first team training on Thursday, Director of Football Marcel Brands confirmed today.

Central defender Mina, a £28.5 million signing from Barcelona, was one of four late arrivals at Goodison Park, along with Bernard, Kurt Zouma and his former Nou Camp team-mate André Gomes.

While Gomes is sidelined with a muscle injury, footage emerged on Tuesday of Bernard and Zouma enjoying their first sessions with the squad at Finch Farm, causing fans to wonder why Mina, 23, was not also seen taking part.

Everton officials flew to Barcelona to complete the signings of both Gomes on a season-long loan and Mina, so speculation has arisen as to when the pair arrived in England. Gomes had earlier posted pictures from the Bramley Moore dock area too.

But in an interview with BBC Radio Merseyside, which will be played in full at 6pm BST (1pm EST) this afternoon, Brands revealed that the Colombian will be involved in preparations for Saturday’s game against Southampton as of tomorrow.

After fellow centre-half Phil Jagielka was sent off in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Wolves, Everton have only four alternatives to choose from; new signings Zouma and Mina, Michael Keane, who started alongside Jagielka at Molineux, and Mason Holgate, who deputised in his absence.

Zouma got a full pre-season under his belt at parent club Chelsea, while Mina had only just returned to Barcelona before his move to Merseyside following a post-World Cup break.