Jarrad Branthwaite looks in ‘fine fettle’ as defender spotted in Everton training ahead of Arsenal clash
Jarrad Branthwaite was spotted training ahead of the Premier League encounter between Everton and Arsenal and appeared in “fine fettle” according to the Liverpool Echo.
Chris Beesley offered a fitness update on several Toffees players in an online article on Thursday (14 September) with Branthwaite among them.
The 21-year-old centre-back played in the 2-2 draw at Sheffield United prior to the international break but did not link up with England’s Under-21 side during the international window due to injury.
However, Beesley wrote: “Jarrad Branthwaite, who withdrew from the England Under-21 squad with what Everton described as “a minor groin issue” appears to be in fine fettle as he was pictured in the thick of the action, grappling with fellow big man and new signing Beto.”
Good news
Jarrad Branthwaite has only made two appearances this season, one in the 1-0 defeat to Wolves and the other at Bramall Lane where Everton earned their first point of the season and scored their first Premier League goals of the campaign.
He was unable to go away on international duty and there would have been concern among supporters that he may be set for a spell on the sidelines.
With an already threadbare squad, Sean Dyche and Toffees supporters alike will be fearing any injuries for an extended period of time, and the sight of Branthwaite being competitive in training will be met with a sigh of relief.
Everton are desperate to get the monkey off their back and earn a first win of the campaign. That certainly will not be easy against an Arsenal side with title aspirations this term, but they did win last season’s corresponding fixture in Dyche’s first game in charge. A repeat this time around would be most welcome.
In other Everton news, Gabby Agbonlahor had this to say about new Toffees striker Beto.