Everton midfielder John Paul Kissock knows he is preparing for a vitally important season following his promotion from the reserves to the first-team.

Kissock spent an ill-fated loan spell with Gretna in the last campaign, but has now returned to Goodison Park, where he has been working his way up through the Toffee's training academy.

And he is determined to have a productive pre-season campaign and hopefully catch the eye of manager David Moyes.

Kissock said: "It's amazing for someone like me who has supported Everton since I was a lad and now I'm working with some of the best players in the world, so it gives you that buzz and that 'umph' to make it into the first team squad."

Kissock is keen to taste first team action this term, but is realistic enough to admit that a spell on loan could aid his progress.

He added: "I want to try and work my best this pre-season and put a few ideas into the gaffer's head. If I'm not ready yet then maybe I will go out on loan, but I'm looking to try and push into the first team during pre-season and we'll see what happens.

"The every day of working with such great players is amazing.

"They're all fantastic and they all make you feel welcome - it's what dreams are made of."