Everton have confirmed how long they expect Joel Catesby to be out for after he suffered a broken fibula and ankle dislocation in the Vertu Trophy clash at Bradford City
BRADFORD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 14: Joel Catesby of Everton U21 runs with the ball during the Vertu Trophy match between Bradford City and Everton U21 at University of Bradford Stadium on October 14, 2025 in Bradford, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Joel Catesby in action for Everton Under-21s before his injury in the Vertu Trophy match at Bradford City(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
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Everton youngster Joel Catesby could be back in action in just four months after quick-thinking from medical staff proved crucial in the aftermath of his terrible injury. There were fears the winger could face a year on the sidelines after he suffered a broken fibula and ankle dislocation in the Under-21s’ Vertu Trophy defeat at Bradford City last Tuesday (October 14).
But the work of club staff and medical experts appears to have prevented the worst and the 18-year-old underwent surgery on Friday (October 17).
Catesby now faces an expected recovery time of between four and six months, Everton U21s manager Paul Tait said as he acknowledged the work of those who helped him at Valley Parade and in the week since.
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Tait said: “The setback is not as severe as what was first feared.
“He’s broken his fibula, but not his tibia, so it’s more positive than we first expected. He also had an ankle dislocation, but the medical staff on the night put it straight back in, so it’s limited the ligament damage.
“So, he’s got a dislocation and a fractured fibula to recover from, but it’s better than we first thought.
“We managed to get him back to Aintree Hospital where we have a specialist, who did the operation on Friday. He’s back home and he’ll be coming into Finch Farm soon.
“Our medical team did a brilliant job from their response to post-operation, so I’d like to thank them for their efforts - both on the night and in the days since.”
Team-mates and club staff have maintained regular contact with Catesby, while head of academy coaching Carl Darlington has had daily contact with the player’s parents.
On the expected timescale for his recovery, Tait said: “I think it’s four to six months, which is another positive because when I saw the injury, I was thinking more like a year.”
Detailing the treatment received by Catesby, and the importance of that work, Peter Beirne, Everton’s head of academy medical, said: “Matty Lowe, who is the physio, and Dr Tom Newton, looked over Joel initially during the fast response and a lot of people have noted how quick they were.
“Obviously that helps in an injury like this, getting that immediate assistance and stabilising the injury.
“So, following that, Joel went to Bradford Hospital. He's had a fractured fibula and ankle dislocation.
“It was relocated on pitch and then when he got to Bradford, a lot of the initial treatment was already done, besides confirming the injury through imaging.
“He was put in a plaster and the idea then would be just to get him back home and to see our ankle experts.
“Joel returned home and then, fortunately, on the Thursday morning we were able to see the guy we would like to see, who is Lyndon Mason. He works out of Aintree Hospital and the club have used him before.
“He did the assessments and then decided on the type of surgery required and this was done on the Friday at Aintree Hospital.”