Jack Grealish warming up for Everton
Jack Grealish warming up for Everton
That is the view of Tony Grant, who played for Everton for six years in the 1990s.
Grealish was not considered for selection for Thursday's Carabao Cup last-16 win against Newcastle United.
That is after the Manchester City loanee reportedly missed a training session last week without a valid reason.
It is not yet clear whether Grealish will be available against Newcastle, though he is now back in training at Finch Farm.
Grant has shared insight from inside the dressing room on what he believes the current crop will make of the situation.
Everton players want Jack Grealish back involved vs Newcastle
Grealish also missed the defeat to Arsenal last weekend, meaning he has now not played since the 2-0 loss against Chelsea on 17 October.
But with the winger back in training, David Moyes must consider throwing Grealish in from the start against Newcastle.
In the view of Grant, speaking with Alan Myers on the True Blue EFC podcast, Grealish's teammates will be more annoyed if he is not picked again than they will have been by his actions.
"All those players will want him involved," Grant said. "Not one player wants him banned for two games because of what he's done. They're all his mates.
"Yeah, he's done what he's done, and it's down to the manager and the club, but the players won't want him [to miss the Newcastle game].
"He'll have been getting changed next to them the next day, having craic with them. He's one of the lads, isn't he?
"The players will just be annoyed he's not involved because they've lost a character around the place and also he's a good footballer.
Coming up later on the @TrueBlueEFCPod we talk Newcastle, Ownership and Grealish, @Tony11grant believes the players will want him back in the squad! Out soon pic.twitter.com/GLwYkylBJs
— Alan Myers (@ALANMYERSMEDIA) November 1, 2026
"I've played with many a player who's done things, and always as a player you're on the side of the other players."
Who else could miss out in Newcastle vs Everton?
Grealish's availability remains up in the air, but Moyes otherwise has no injury or suspension issues to contend with.
Jarrad Branthwaite missed the Newcastle game because of concussion protocols, but he is now allowed to return for Monday's clash at St James' Park.
As for the home side, they could be without as many as five players.
William Osula injured his ankle and lasted only half the game against Everton on Thursday, meaning he is touch and go for this latest encounter.
Ewen Jaouen and Valentino Livramento are definitely out, meanwhile, and Lewis Miley is considered doubtful.
Matias Fernandez-Pardo is another whose participation is in question after missing two games through illness.