Marco Silva is looking forward to his full group of first-team players returning to training - as he revealed the ongoing work to further strengthen his Everton squad with top-quality signings.

The Blues have already completed the recruitment of Jonas Lossl, Andre Gomes and Fabian Delph on permanent deals this summer.

Silva is still intent on bolstering his squad further with three weeks remaining in the summer transfer window.

The deadline for any further additions is Thursday 8 August – two days before Everton play their Premier League opener at Crystal Palace.

Silva is eager to add new faces before then but only with players who will boost a Toffees squad already brimming with talent.

“I would prefer that the players are here already but in the market, it’s not easy,” Silva told evertontv.

“The deals you want to do are difficult deals also because we want just players who can strengthen our squad, to improve our squad. Let’s see what we can do.”

Everton are now into the third week of pre-season training but a number of senior players are still to return to USM Finch Farm after international commitments.

Copa America winner Richarlison, along with Yerry Mina, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Yannick Bolasie, have all been given extended breaks following summer tournament action with their respective national teams.

Idrissa Gana Gueye is still away competing with Senegal, who face Algeria in the Africa Cup of Nations final on Friday evening.

“Of course, me as a manager, if I can have the full squad when I start pre-season, it would be perfect,” Silva added.

“It’s a different preparation for us because we have a lot of international players playing in important competitions with their national teams.

“Last Monday, six of our international players started pre-season in the second week. Next Monday we will have more, then after we will have Richarlison. We will have to wait for Gana also.

“Of course, the best solution would be if I have all of them, but it’s a good sign because we have international players playing in important competitions.”