Evans: Everyone Will Benefit From Scunthorpe Test

- Leicester City defeated Scunthorpe United 1-0 at Glanford Park on Tuesday evening
- Ayoze Pérez's maiden goal for the Foxes won it for the visitors 
- Jonny Evans was pleased to make his first appearances of pre-season
- The Northern Ireland defender says friendlies are important for physical and mental fitness

The Foxes left north Lincolnshire with a 1-0 victory, courtesy of Ayoze Pérez's first half strike, as Brendan Rodgers handed appearances to 21 players in total.

Following the Club's first pre-season fixture of the summer, Evans, 31, discussed the importance of gradually building football fitness in matches against external opposition.

"It was our first game of pre-season, the manager has picked two teams for each half and it’s about getting the match rhythm into your legs and into your brains," he told LCFC TV.

"We’ve done a few 11v11s internally in training, but when you’re coming up against sides who are competing and challenging for every ball it is different.

"I think everyone will feel the benefit of that going into the weekend [against Cheltenham Town] now where it will probably be pretty much the same.

"When the ball goes out for throw-ins and things like that, different teams do different things. 

"We’re used to training in the 11v11s, where we’re probably doing the same things, whereas here you’ve got different challenges.

"Sometimes you’ve got longer balls to deal with, teams turning you in the channels and things like that, and different physical attributes as well.

"They’re different challenges you’ve got to face and got to adapt to."

Meanwhile, Evans was also thrilled to see Pérez mark his maiden appearances for the Foxes with a goal - and he also expressed excitement to see more from the Spaniard. 

"I think everyone has been really impressed with him coming in," the Northern Ireland international defender added. "It looks like he’s building a nice little partnership with Ricky [Ricardo] there.

"He’s a very intelligent player coming in off the line and his timing is very good at receiving the ball and turning and I think he’ll have great flexibility for us to play across the front line.

"It’s great addition to the squad. Everyone has had really, really positive words to say about him so far."