Sean Dyche insisted that football came second as he sought to give Andros Townsend the best opportunity to return to fitness.
Townsend did not kick a ball for Everton last season, missing the campaign as he recovered from the horrific anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered in March 2022.
He was almost a year into his rehabilitation when Dyche was appointed Blues boss - and has now shared details of their first conversation.
