Here comes another international break, but for these four Everton players, that means staying at home and waiting for club duty to resume.
Anyone who supports a club is always going to be frustrated when the international break rolls around, but Everton fans will be more so seen as they just saw their team win again for the first time in three matches.
That win against Fulham has to be used as a foundation to build upon, especially with Everton having a tough run of games after the international break.
We’ve a while to wait until the next game against Manchester United, but while some Everton stars are on international duty this month, others will be sat at home watching and wishing they were, too.
Everton teammates Jack Grealish and Jordan Pickford.
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Everton players excluded from international duty
Jack Grealish
It’s now been more than a year since Jack Grealish was last part of an England squad. Given his brilliant start to the season with Everton, the latest Thomas Tuchel snub does sting a little more.
Everton have reassured Grealish that they are happy with what he’s doing regardless of Tuchel’s decision, but with the World Cup looming, the winger will not be pleased he’s been left in the cold once more.
David Moyes says Jack Grealish could get another chance with England before next summer, but time is ticking and it seems like nothing he does is good enough.
James Garner
He’s not represented England at senior level yet, but James Garner may feel slightly disappointed to have missed out on the latest squad.
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Moyes certainly thinks Garner should be considered by Tuchel, especially after his recent good form filling in at full-back.
It’ll be interesting to see whether Garner keeps playing at right-back or reverts to his central midfield role, but his flexibility surely makes him an interesting option for Tuchel.
Nathan Patterson during Everton v Peterborough United - Emirates FA Cup Third Round
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Nathan Patterson
Nathan Patterson has represented his country 23 times already, and there’s every reason to believe he would be in the Scotland squad right now were it not for his injury.
The full-back has been out for the past month, after picking up a knock in a game for Everton’s Under-21s in mid-October.
Patterson’s injury blow is ultimately what led to Garner playing out of position, so it’s had its silver lining. Still, Moyes will be keen to get the Scotsman back soon, as will Steve Clarke.
Jarrad Branthwaite
Jarrad Branthwaite’s one England cap came last summer, and injuries have prevented him from establishing himself as a regular for the Three Lions.
The centre-half is yet to play this season but Branthwaite has been training on grass for the past month or so, and a return can’t be far away.
Once he’s fit and playing again, we’ve no doubt Branthwaite will begin to stake his claim for an England comeback. He’ll just have to hope he’s back in time to give Tuchel something to think about for the World Cup squad.