Sean Dyche shares Jarrad Branthwaite injury update ahead of Everton clash v Aston Villa
Sean Dyche has provided a fresh Everton injury update ahead of his side’s clash with Aston Villa on Saturday [14 September].
Nathan Patterson and Jarrad Branthwaite are yet to feature for the Blues this season, while Seamus Coleman returned to Finch Farm for treatment [Irish Independent] for an injury sustained on duty with the Republic of Ireland.
Dyche addressed the injury concerns in his pre-match conference on Thursday [12 September] and provided the latest update on the availability of his squad.
He said: “Seamus is touch and go for the weekend, unfortunately, but we’ll see how he goes, see how he recovers from that tomorrow more so.
“Jarrad is just really on the grass now, so he’s at the very beginning process, and Paddy’s [Patterson] the same.
“They’ve done a lot of work with the sports science team, by the way, but what I mean is they’re starting to train with us every day, so you need a training period, a game period to be classified as fully-fit.”
Everton could be without Seamus Coleman for Aston Villa clash
While it is common knowledge that Branthwaite and Patterson would not be available for the weekend, another match without Coleman is a big blow for the Toffees.
The 35-year-old began the season on the sidelines and only returned to the side in the 3-0 win against Doncaster Rovers in the second round of the Carabao Cup before starting the 3-2 loss to Bournemouth at Goodison Park.
Ashley Young started the Premier League opener against Brighton & Hove Albion at right-back but made matters worse for his side when he was sent off in the 3-0 loss.
Roman Dixon made his Premier League debut in the 39-year-old’s absence in the 4-0 defeat to Tottenham.
While he was a standout performer in what was an abysmal showing in North London, it’s highly unlikely that Everton will call on the 19-year-old to start another match against Champions League opposition.
There is a slight chance that Coleman could be fit for the weekend but at 35, it would be downright incompetence to rush the defender back into the starting lineup.
Dyche is facing an impossible decision between inexperience and over-experience. It is a decision he must get right in what has become a must-win match for Everton after three consecutive league defeats.
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