Never-before-seen Everton youngster could make squad v Liverpool – report
Everton youngster Jarrod Branthwaite could be in the Toffees squad for the Merseyside derby on Sunday, according to the Daily Mail.
The never-before-seen defender impressed Carlo Ancelotti in a recent friendly held among the squad over the weekend.
Branthwaite has not yet made the first-team squad since arriving from Carlisle recently for only £750,000.
The Daily Mail has suggested that Branthwaite could be set for a place on the bench for the clash against Liverpool.
Everton are short of options in defence at this moment in time, with a number of injuries within their squad ahead of the Premier League restart.
Yerry Mina has already been confirmed as injured with the Colombian defender out for four months with a torn thigh muscle.
With Mina injured and confirmed as absent for the rest of the season, it is quite clear who will be occupying the two defensive spots.
Mason Holgate and Michael Keane should start the clash with Liverpool, and both have been keen to improve over the enforced break.
Ancelotti has a number of injury problems outside of his defence for the game, with Andre Gomes, Fabian Delph and Theo Walcott all struggling with problems ahead of the massive clash.
In other Everton news, the Toffees have opened negotiations with this free-agent with Ancelotti vital to talks