Baines impressed by Everton depth

Playing in Europe is often considered the ultimate test of a club's strength in depth and Baines feels that Everton will pass the test with flying colours.

The 32-year-old told Everton's club website: 'It is a lot of football but I think we have prepared for that. The squad is a lot bigger. We have boys who didn't make the squad last week who would get in other Premier League teams.

'We have lads out injured who would be first-team players. There is genuine competition for every position in the side.

'There will be times when there is rotation. It is the manager's job to juggle that, and he has a staff to help him with it. We understand it as players - we have to prepare for it and know decisions are being made for the right reasons.

'If you are not being picked for a week or two, you have to use that time productively and say, 'Okay, I am not featuring, maybe I have played a lot of games and really need to look after my body this week'. That is part of being a professional.'

Everton go into the second leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie on Thursday with a 1-0 lead after Baines scored the winner in the first leg.