Everton are set to SILENCE their popular pre-match air raid siren for match against Manchester City

Everton are set to silence their pre-match air raid siren when they face Manchester City on Saturday following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Air raid sirens were heard going off in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on Thursday after Russia's President Vladimir Putin launched what he called a 'special military operation'.

And in light of the invasion, the Toffees are set to go without part of their pre-match routine at Goodison Park in tomorrow's late kick-off in the Premier League.

The Merseyside outfit introduced a new pre-match initiative in 2019 in which, instead of a normal rendition of Z Cars, former boxer Tony Bellew's ring-walk version is played instead - including the air raid siren before the drums come in.

It was played for the first time ahead of a goalless Merseyside derby stalemate with Liverpool nearly three years ago, and the slight modification has gone down a treat with Toffees fans ever since.

But while there is likely to be no air raid siren played on Saturday, there could be protests against the Russian invasion at grounds across the country by displaying Ukraine flags in a show of solidarity for the besieged nation.

It comes as the Premier League's Ukrainian players voiced their anguish on social media, including Everton's Vitalii Mykolenko.

And Everton will therefore be among those that will display a banner in support of Mykolenko and Ukraine.

The FA will not consider the presence of flags on the pitch or in the stands as a breach of their rules. The governing body usually prohibit anything construed as a political message.

Meanwhile, it is understood Everton's Ukrainian left-back Mykolenko has been in training and is still available to face the Premier League champions on Saturday afternoon.

However, boss Frank Lampard is set to monitor the defender and could confirm in his pre-match press conference this afternoon whether he will be involved against Pep Guardiola's men.

The club will also offer support to the Ukraine international - who only moved to Goodison Park in January from Dynamo Kyiv for an undisclosed fee - if the 22-year-old requires it.

Mykolenko has made three appearances so far for Everton and was on the bench when Everton 2-0 defeat at Southampton.

Russia pressed its invasion of Ukraine to the outskirts of the capital on Friday after unleashing airstrikes on cities and military bases.

Troops and tanks are moving in from three sides in an attack that could rewrite the global post-Cold War security order.

Explosions sounded before dawn in Kyiv and gunfire was later heard near the government quarter as Western leaders scheduled an emergency meeting.

Ukraine's president pleaded for international help to fend off an attack that could topple his democratically elected government, cause massive casualties and ripple out damage to the global economy.

Among the signs that the Ukrainian capital was increasingly threatened, the military said Friday that a group of Russian spies and saboteurs was seen in a district of Kyiv about 3 miles north of the city centre.