Jarrad Branthwaite return delay possible after what Everton teammate has done
Jarrad Branthwaite has not played a single minute of competitive football for Everton this season.
Branthwaite was injured in Everton’s pre-season loss to Roma, and he has not returned to action yet for the Blues.
Michael Keane has stepped up for Everton in his absence, forming a solid partnership with James Tarkowski.
For that reason, David Moyes may have a dilemma on his hands when the 23-year-old does return to the squad.
Everton can take their time with Jarrad Branthwaite recovery
Moyes may chose to stick with Keane for Everton, even when his star man in defence returns from his injury.
Iconic football commentator Ian Darke believes that Branthwaite will take the spot back eventually, but Keane’s form allows the Blues to manage his return.
Speaking exclusively to Goodison News, he said: “I think the situation with Michael Keane is, he is fully aware that Jarrad Branthwaite is the first choice to go alongside Tarkowski.
“He is being a very good professional and doing what he has to do, which is playing out of his skin and doing the best he can.
“I think what it means is, they have not got to rush Branthwaite back, because Keane is performing well and came up with that vital goal against West Ham.
“I think they will be happy enough with that, and they can just take their time with Branthwaite and bring him really up to speed before they bring him back in.
“I would suspect Branthwaite does remain first choice once he is fully up to speed.”
The young defender was impressive last season, as the Sofascore graphic above shows.
Everton should be in no rush for Branthwaite return
The last thing that Moyes needs, is to rush the Englishman back into action, and he gets injured again.
The Blues need to manage his issue and spread his return over a number of weeks, to build his fitness up and not risk re-injury.
Branthwaite is desperate to get back into the England squad for the World Cup next summer, and his best way to do that is to make a full recovery and then star for the Toffees for the rest of the season.
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