Everton manager Sean Dyche has confirmed defender Jarrad Branthwaite’s injury will keep him out for a while longer.
Looking ahead to Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Bournemouth, Toffees boss Dyche has given a fitness update on several players.
While the situation looks good for the returning trio of Seamus Coleman, James Garner, and James Tarkowski, it appears Branthwaite is still some way off a return.
Following Everton’s 3-0 victory over Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup, Dyche said: “We had to monitor Seamus Coleman’s and James Garner’s minutes, so I was really pleased with their performances.
“James Tarkowski was taken off more as a precaution on Tuesday and it was a minor situation. He has trained today so should be fine, as long as there’s no further reaction.
But on Branthwaite, he was less positive, adding: “Jarrad is still a bit of time away. We have three very strong players missing still and a few nearing to fitness but not quite there yet.”
Jarrad Branthwaite Injury Details
The 22-year-old defender was subject to two bids from Manchester United earlier in the transfer window. Eric Ten Hag’s side submitted an offer of £45m plus add-ons in July, following an earlier bid of £35m.
But despite the club rejecting both bids, Branthwaite did not feature in pre-season after undergoing surgery for a groin issue.
At the time, manager Sean Dyche described the procedure as ‘minor’, but did not put a time frame on the player’s return.
Last season, Branthwaite made 41 appearances for the Toffees in all competitions, but has not played for the club since their 2-1 defeat at Arsenal on the final day of the Premier League season in May.
When he does eventually return to the squad, he will no doubt need time to regain match fitness. After such a long spell out, Dyche may opt to give him minutes off the bench or in the U21s.
To date Jarrad Branthwaite has played 54 games for Everton, scoring four goals. He has also made one senior England appearance, making his debut in a 3-0 friendly win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in June.