Phil Neville believes Everton's delayed start to the new season has benefited the club and they are now ready for the new campaign.
Following the riots in Tottenham early last week, Everton's game with Spurs at White Hart Lane was postponed so they have yet to kick off the new Premier League campaign.
The Toffees hastily arranged an extra friendly against Irish outfit Bohemians in Dublin on Monday that enabled a number of key players, including Spanish playmaker Mikel Arteta, to gain some match fitness.
Everton skipper Neville believes that game, as well as the extra week's training, could work in favour of his side as they prepare to face QPR at Goodison Park on Saturday.
"The aim at the start of pre-season was to go into the first game of the campaign with everybody fully fit, I think we are there now," Neville told the the club's official website.
"We have worked hard over the past six or seven weeks. We suffered a little setback on Saturday with the game being off, but you never know.
"God works in mysterious ways, and it gave two or three of the lads some extra minutes on the pitch.
"I think we are all ready for the start of the season now. We were frustrated when our game was called off of course, but now the real stuff starts."
Don’t forget - Everton v QPR live on Setanta Sports in Ireland, Sat Aug 20th.