Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has revealed his excitement about the return of Premier League football and is savouring the prospect of contesting a series of top-flight games in a jam-packed schedule.

Everton's first match since the season was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic will be a Merseyside derby showdown with Liverpool on Sunday 21 June. The Blues take on Norwich City at Carrow Road three days later before hosting Leicester City on 1 July.

England No. 1 Pickford has played every minute of every Everton Premier League match since joining the Blues from boyhood club Sunderland in 2017. He is therefore in line to make his 106th consecutive top-flight start for the Blues in the game against Liverpool.

And having been brought up on diet of “constant football” as a youngster, Pickford says he has no qualms about the possibility of playing the remaining nine matches of the 2019/20 campaign in a short period of time.

“We're itching to get back out there,” Pickford said. 

“We know it's going to be nine games in quick succession.

“I've had that type of experience in the Championship when I was with Preston.

“There's nothing better than playing games regularly, like Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday-Wednesday. It's ledge.”

Everton still harbour ambitions of achieving European qualification this season. Carlo Ancelotti’s side are in 12th position but just six points behind sixth-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Pickford says belief is strong that the team can kick off their Premier League run-in with a victory in the 236th Merseyside derby.

“We were looking forward to that game before the break,” he said.

“It’s a great start for us, as players you want to beat your rivals.

“We know it will be tough but we will be well prepared, fit and raring to go.

“We know derby matches are massive for the fans, and as players we want to show how good we can be.

“We know they are a good side but we will do our best and I believe we have got the ability in the squad to beat them. We want to do that for ourselves and the fans.”

Pickford joined Everton manager Ancelotti and a host of his Everton teammates by showing his support for the Black Lives Matter movement earlier this week in response to George Floyd’s tragic death in America.

Floyd died in Minneapolis after a police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes.

Pickford reaffirmed the importance of eliminating all forms of racism in sport and society.

“We always say no to racism in football,” he added.

“I remember when Moise Kean signed for Everton, we had that big 'No To Racism' banner in the Gwladys Street End.

“In football, we are all together and help each other through things like that. That’s the best thing and most powerful thing about the game.”

Pickford has also played a part in Everton’s Blue Family campaign, which was launched to support isolated and vulnerable individuals in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

The goalkeeper made phone calls to supporters to check on their wellbeing and lift spirits, and answered Evertonians' questions in an entertaining Ask A Blue video.

“It’s been a crazy few months and 2020 has been different than what everyone planned it to be, but you’ve got to take life into consideration more,” Pickford added.

“This lockdown period been a good time to reflect on yourself as an individual, what you can do better in the world and how you can help other people as well.”