Captain Phil Neville concedes that Everton are "hurting" after their 6-1 home hammering by Arsenal but remain confident ahead of their Europa League debut.

Everton face Czech Republic side Sigma Olomouc at Goodison Park on Thursday in the first leg of their play-off tie against a side that put eight past Aberdeen over two legs.

Everton have not done well of late in Europe at this early stage of the season, losing to Villarreal in the Champions League qualifier in 2005 and then to Standard Liege in the UEFA Cup 12 months ago.

And a year earlier in the same competition they were held at home by Ukrainian side Metallist Kharkiv in the first leg before winning the away match 3-2.

So the last thing Everton need is for their opening day woes to spill over into a European campaign that is so important to the club's development.

Neville and his team-mates cannot afford a hangover from Saturday's humiliation by the Gunners to affect them when they face the Czechs on Thursday.

Neville added: "In terms of our defending, it's the worst we have played since Dinamo Bucharest (when Everton lost 5-1 in September 2005) It was too easy for Arsenal to get in and score.

"That is not the Everton that has shown such consistency over the last five years. We have been built on solid foundations and pride ourselves in being difficult to beat.

"That has been our strength. Even if the quality of our play has not been good at times in the past, people know that we are hard to beat."

Despite claims that Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is preparing an increased bid for Joleon Lescott, the club insist there has been no further contact, with boss David Moyes maintaining: "Everton are not selling."

Moyes is looking to add to his squad, and has been linked with Valencia midfielder Ever Banega, Spartak Moscow winger Vladimir Bystrov, Middlesbrough defender Robert Huth and Arsenal centre-back Philippe Senderos.

Neville added: "We need to toughen up and get back to basics. I know we are hurting and we have got to take responsibility for that performance.
"It is not acceptable and, believe me, the players will not accept it. You talk about our famous spirit, well we have got to show it now.

This is a time for strong characters.

"We have got to show our strength of spirit on Thursday night. We have got to show everything that has made us the fifth best team in England. This is a big test for us."