Everton v Crystal Palace - Major update emerges on Jarrad Branthwaite
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite has been given a chance by Sean Dyche to be in the starting eleven against Crystal Palace.
The Toffees host Palace at Goodison Park on 28 September and the Liverpool Echo have issued a "major" update ahead of the game with Dyche talking about the 22-year-old.
Dyche made the English centre-back available in his pre-match press conference, but in the embargoed session which was released later on 27 September, he confirmed that he's performed well in training and in his thoughts for a start.
He said: "We’ll make a decision on that. His stats are good.
“We have training stats and measures from the past, so his stats have been good. So yeah, he’s certainly in the hat, in my thinking, without a doubt.
“He played very well last season, and I mentioned all time that he’s still learning the depth of his role, but did super well last season, without a doubt, and played his part in what ended up, although an up and down season, a very successful season."
Everton must not rush Jarrad Branthwaite back right away
It's undoubtedly great for the Blues to have Branthwaite's services, given how badly they've started the season.
They have been the worst side defensively in the league - which is a far cry from how airtight they were towards the end of last season.
A lot of it could be down to the fact that the English defender has not been there marshalling the defence alongside James Tarkowski.
Dyche surely will not have been pleased with how things have transpired this time around and will be hoping that Branthwaite's return can solve things.
Hopefully, he's not rushed back into it and is given adequate minutes before he's ready to play week in and week out.
That does not mean he won't start against Palace, but playing 90 minutes after being out for this long may be a bit too soon.
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