Jarrad Branthwaite injury twist emerges ahead of Everton clash v Newcastle United
Jarrad Branthwaite will not necessarily miss the clash between and Everton in a new injury twist, according to Joe Thomas.
The Liverpool Echo journalist reported via the Royal Blue YouTube channel (4 October, 6:15) that the Toffees are set to assess the defender ahead of the clash with the Magpies on Saturday (5 October).
Reports had suggested that the England international would definitely not feature against Eddie Howe’s side at Goodison Park [The Mirror, 4 October] but that assessment appears to have been slightly premature.
Speaking on the Royal Blue YouTube channel, Thomas said: “I don’t think this is serious, I don’t think this is something that is going to rule him out for a long time.
“But obviously, we’ve got the international break there where he can hopefully get up to speed. It’s not a definite that he’s not available for Newcastle tomorrow.
“They’re going to assess him today. Yesterday they were still trying to work out how serious it would be and whether or not he would be available for Saturday night. I think those conversations will carry on again today.
“It’s not a definite that we won’t see him on Saturday.”
Is Everton ace Jarrad Branthwaite injured for clash v Newcastle at Goodison Park?
Anyone who has watched Sean Dyche’s Everton side over the opening weeks of the season will know that they are a much better outfit when Branthwaite is at the front and centre of their defence.
Without the England international, the Blues have been incredibly leaky in defence and conceded far too many goals with both James Tarkowski and Michael Keane coming in for plenty of criticism so far this term.
In his one appearance this season, the 22-year-old showed the Toffees exactly what they were missing. If he is even close to full fitness, he has to play in some capacity against the Magpies on Saturday afternoon.
Of course, Dyche will be reluctant to lose him for an extended period of time if he were to exacerbate his injury ahead of the international break, but this does feel like a risk worth taking at this stage of the season.
Hopefully, the defender will be on the teamsheet in some capacity on Saturday.
In other Everton news, a Dominic Calvert-Lewin exit update has emerged amid interest from Newcastle United this season
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