Jarrad Branthwaite during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Photo by Tony McArdle - Everton FC/Everton FC via Getty Images
Jarrad Branthwaite during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Photo by Tony McArdle - Everton FC/Everton FC via Getty Images
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Everton believe Jarrad Branthwaite is now strong enough to play three games in a week.
The centre-back endured a miserable season of hamstring problems in 2025-26 playing just 10 Premier League matches. That campaign followed issues at the end of the previous one, with the sight of the defender being stretchered off against Liverpool in April leading to fears over his long-term durability.
The club has worked hard on the rehabilitation of Branthwaite over the summer with the 24-year-old undergoing specialist treatment in Germany and with his workload being carefully handled through pre-season.
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That attention to detail appears to have paid off, with the player having started all four Premier League matches so far.
And the value of nursing him back to fitness has been clear. Everton remain unbeaten and Branthwaite has been central to them emerging from tough games against Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur with valuable draws.
His celebrations on half-time against United, when he timed a challenge on Marcus Rashford to perfection before blocking a Bruno Fernandes effort from the loose ball, were symbolic of a player growing in confidence.
He was then outstanding on Saturday as Spurs heaped pressure on the Blues' box but failed to create a clear cut chance.
Branthwaite's start to the season has led to calls for an England call-up at the end of the month and Everton will follow developments on that front with interest.
David Moyes wants his players to earn international experience, viewing call-ups as a sign the club is progressing.
But there will no doubt be people around the club that view the three-week break as a useful opportunity for Branthwaite to reset and recover after his first run of matches since spring.
There is, however, growing confidence over Branthwaite's fitness at Everton. Moyes will be under pressure to ensure his side overcomes Wolves in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday and his options for rotation are limited.
Few would dispute a decision to rest Branthwaite, particularly given the cover offered by Jake O’Brien and Michael Keane against a Championship side with its focus on earning an immediate return to the top flight.
While a break is likely to be considered for Branthwaite, that staff at Finch Farm believe he could now handle a three-game week is a significant development in his recovery.
Moyes said: "With Jarrad there was a programme we worked to, where we didn't play him. This is a difficult week with three games.
"At the moment, we've chosen not to play him at the weekend and in the midweek. But we're over that now, we think we're over that now.
"We think we've given him enough breaking-in time and we think we can be able to do that. But I think just because of Jarrad's injuries, we're always trying to manage him as best we can."
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