Manager David Moyes was asked about the fitness of his players in his pre-match press conference ahead of Everton's trip to Manchester City
David Moyes has revealed that Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite is back in training along with Merlin Rohl ahead of Saturday’s trip to Manchester City. But another player has been ruled out.
Branthwaite, whose new five-year contract was announced on July 2, played in the Blues’ first two friendlies at Accrington Stanley and Blackburn Rovers, but stayed behind in the UK when the team went to the USA for the Premier League Summer Series.
The 23-year-old then returned for the inaugural first-team game in front of fans at Hill Dickinson Stadium against Roma on August 9 but left the field in the 79th minute and has been out with a hamstring injury ever since and has yet to kick a ball in competitive action this season.
Michael Keane, who has replaced Branthwaite in the side and has arguably been Everton’s most consistent defender so far this term, was forced off after 65 minutes against Crystal Palace last time out and when asked how the 32-year-old was, Moyes said: “We’ve got a few people. We’re got Jarrad back on the grass, we’ve got Merlin back on the grass, but unfortunately Patto (Nathan Patterson) picked up an injury in the Under-21s game in midweek.
“So, we’ve got bits and pieces going on. But all the clubs will be the same, everyone is coming back from international duty, trying to get their players back and ready, and find out what condition they’re in, so, we’re no different than anyone else.”
Moyes won’t be able to turn to Jack Grealish, who followed up his Premier League Player of the Month award for August when he provided four assists in his first two starts with the first-stoppage time winner at Hill Dickinson Stadium against Crystal Palace, as the on-loan star is ineligible to play against his parent club City.
However, Moyes refuted any suggestions that he might have been asking the 30-year-old about insider knowledge on Pep Guardiola’s side.
He said: “No, it’s not the way I work. I’m not that interested in going to the players and asking them.
“I just don’t like the thought of going and trying to get secrets of anyone. So, no, I don’t do that.”
At the end of the press conference, Moyes was asked about Joel Catesby’s injury for Everton Under-21s in the 5-1 Vertu Trophy defeat at Bradford City on Tuesday that he attended.
The Birkenhead-born prospect who has been with the Blues since the age of four, underwent lengthy treatment by the side of the pitch at Valley Parade following a challenge by Brad Halliday.
BBC Radio Merseyside’s Giulia Bould asked if Moyes knew how the 18-year-old was because “it seemed a really nasty injury,” and he replied: “It did,” and acknowledged that he needed to be careful with head of media Andy Neild confirming that the club were still waiting on being able to provide an accurate update.