What Everton have instantly had to say as Jarrad Branthwaite absent vs Stoke
Everton have explained why Jarrad Branthwaite was not involved in Tuesday evening's friendly against Stoke City.
Branthwaite played 45 minutes of Saturday's goalless draw at Bolton Wanderers but did not emerge for the second half.
That was put down as a precautionary measure due to Branthwaite sustaining a fresh injury towards the end of last season.
The 2025-26 campaign was massively disrupted by injury for the centre-back, who made just 10 Premier League appearances all season.
Eyebrows would have been raised when Branthwaite was not included in the matchday squad to face Stoke at the bet365 Stadium.
But those concerns have now been allayed by the Toffees.
What have Everton said about Jarrad Branthwaite absence?
As previously reported by Goodison News, Everton were boosted by the news Branthwaite would be available for pre-season.
After missing such a large part of last season, getting minutes under the belt was going to be imperative this summer.
However, that is not going to come at the expense of David Moyes risking a setback for one of his key men.
Everton have now explained in a short announcement via X ahead of kick-off that the decision to leave out Branthwaite was planned.
Everton added that the 24-year-old will continue full training at Finch Farm this week and will be involved in the friendly against Hamburg on Saturday.
Everton fans to get first sight of Hayden Hackney
Hayden Hackney and Tyler Dibling missed the Bolton game, but the plan was for them to feature on Tuesday evening.
That is very much the case, with Hackney belatedly making his Toffees debut.
The central midfielder sustained an injury towards the end of last season with Middlesbrough that he has been nursing.
Tyrique George, whose loan move was made permanent this summer, is another starter at the bet365 Stadium, as is Merlin Rohl - another who is now on Merseyside full-time after a spell on loan.
Everton follow up this week's friendlies with Stoke and Hamburg by taking on Stuttgart, Newcastle United and then Lyon before the real business begins with a home match against Crystal Palace on 22 August.