Jarrad Branthwaite next step outlined by injury expert after 'textbook' Everton developments

Jarrad Branthwaite has proved his injury problems are a thing of the past at Everton - for now.

The centre-back has played a full part in all five of Everton's Premier League matches so far this season.

That leaves him just two starts off matching his tally of top-flight starts for the entire of the 2025-26 season.

Branthwaite's form and fitness has seen him rewarded with an England call-up for this extended international break.

Speaking to reporters this week, the 24-year-old revealed how he spent time in Germany to help him get over his past fitness issues.

The early signs are certainly encouraging, with injury expert Ben Dinnery now sharing what the next logical steps will be.

Jarrad Branthwaite profits from summer fitness camp

Branthwaite used his time off to rehab and look "at the wider picture" as to how he could stay injury free.

That has benefited both the player and Everton - as well as possibly England going forward.

"I went over there [Germany] for three or four weeks, working with a team alongside the club, just to assess different things, and hopefully that has helped," he is quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

As pointed out by Dinnery, what we have seen from Branthwaite "is almost textbook" in that he has slowly built himself back up to a strong level.

However, Dinnery goes on to add via X: "That small sample [of five games] doesn’t mean his injury problems are resolved.

"But it does show he's tolerating repeated competitive load. Availability is the first checkpoint. Sustained output is next."

Effectively, Branthwaite simply needs to keep doing what he is doing and take each game as it comes.

Being called up by England is a huge achievement after a couple of years in the wilderness, and hopefully he is not over-exposed in terms of his minutes.

David Moyes will be watching carefully as he will know just how important it is to keep his star defender fit.

Who has played most Premier League minutes for Everton this season?

Branthwaite is one of five Everton players to have played all 450 minutes so far this season.

The others are central-defensive partner James Tarkowski, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford full-back Vitalii Mykolenko and midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

Moyes does not exactly have many options to choose from, so this squad will be pushed to its limits over the coming months.

If Everton are to have a realistic chance of competing for the European spots, Tarkowski's fitness will be key to that.