Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton applauds the fans at the end of the Premier League match between Everton FC and Crystal Palace FC at Goodison Park on September 28, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)placeholder image
Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton applauds the fans at the end of the Premier League match between Everton FC and Crystal Palace FC at Goodison Park on September 28, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) | Getty Images
x
Everton boss David Moyes has revealed that Jarrad Branthwaite is making good progress as he aims to come back from injury.
The key centre-back is yet to make an appearance this season. He suffered a hamstring injury on the eve of the campaign and required surgery in October.
While Michael Keane has stepped up superbly, Moyes will still be desperate to get Branthwaite back to full fitness. He’s not ready to feature in Saturday’s trip to Chelsea, and still needs several weeks to get up to speed, but is back on the grass. Merlin Rohl is also progressing after having a hernia operation.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Moyes said: “Jarrad and Merlin are back on the grass and doing some work. Merlin is obviously much further on than Jarrad but they are both back on the grass. Hopefully we see them soon.”
Everton head to Chelsea having won four of the past five games, most recently a resounding 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest and are fifth in the Premier League.
The Toffees will have Idrissa Gana Gueye and Tim Iroegbunam back available at Stamford Bridge. Gueye has missed the past three games because of suspension, while Iroegbunam was banned against Forest.
But Gueye will only make a breif return to the Everton squad. The midfielder and Iliman Ndiaye will report for Senegal duty on Monday as they aim to deliver African Cup of Nations glory.
Continue Reading