Jon Colman Profile Image
Jarrad Branthwaite is getting closer to a return to action after injury
Jarrad Branthwaite is getting closer to a return to action after injury (Image: Barbara Abbott / PA)
USA Today logo
This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald.
Jarrad Branthwaite is making "positive progress" towards a long-awaited return to action, Everton have said.
The Cumbrian defender was not involved in the Premier League club's first pre-season game against Dundee on Saturday.
But the Toffees say the Wigton star is on track in his bid to return to action having been sidelined since April with a hamstring injury.
The 2025/25 season proved an injury-hit one for the 24-year-old, who made only ten appearances due to successive hamstring problems.
The ex-Carlisle United man is now close to being back in action, having been in pre-season training with David Moyes's squad.
"Jarrad Branthwaite has trained with the Blues all week and continues to make positive progress from the hamstring injury he sustained towards the end of last season," said Everton in an official update on the Cumbrian.
The Wigton star was restricted to just ten appearances last season (Image: PA)
Branthwaite suffered his most recent injury in the Merseyside derby against Liverpool on April 19.
That cost him the chance to feature in Everton's run-in and also denied him the opportunity to make a late push for England's World Cup squad.
The highly-rated Cumbrian will now be hoping to enjoy a more trouble-free 2026/27 campaign. Everton's next pre-season game comes against Bolton Wanderers next Saturday, with their top-flight campaign kicking off on August 22 against Crystal Palace.
FLASH SALE: Our biggest subscription offers for Carlisle United fans are now live! Get unlimited access to every article for £6 for 6 months or a full year at half price - click HERE