Everton could be without influential defender Jarrad Branthwaite until after the international break due to an injury in training. Branthwaite made his first appearance of the season for Sean Dyche’s side last weekend having had groin surgery in the summer.
His return contributed to a much-improved defensive display as Everton recorded their first Premier League win of the campaign against Crystal Palace. The 22-year-old, however, is believed to have suffered a thigh injury this week and is a serious doubt for Saturday’s home game with Newcastle.
Dyche did not mention Branthwaite as a potential absentee at his pre-match press conference on Thursday, with the defender still being assessed. But the Everton manager would be unlikely to risk the centre-half after an extended spell on the sidelines and Branthwaite could be out until the trip to Ipswich on 19 October.
Dele’s attempts to secure a new contract with Everton have suffered a setback with the former England international sustaining a muscle injury during his long-term rehabilitation programme.
The 28-year-old has continued training at Everton since his contract expired at the end of last season as he recovers from surgery on a persistent groin problem. Sean Dyche intends to test Dele’s fitness in a series of behind-closed-doors matches before deciding whether to offer the free agent a new deal. But the Everton manager admitssaid there is still no timeframe on the former Tottenham playmaker’s availability following another injury blow.
“He’s just making sure he’s right at the moment,” said Dyche. “He’s had a little bit of a slip back with his fitness so he is just in that total recovery period. It’s slightly different ([to the groin issue)]. It’s a slight muscle strain, nothing too heavy, but because it’s been so long it is about getting him back into that fully fit zone.”
Dele has not played a competitive game in 20 months and started only once in two seasons as an Everton player, suffering an initial hip injury while on loan at Besiktas. Dyche insists the player remains upbeat despite enduring a “very challenging” period with his fitness.
The Everton manager added: “It’s not easy but unfortunately it is part of being a professional footballer. Not for all, of course. I had a year out with my back, played one game and then did my back again the next week. You work for six or seven months and then you’re out for another seven months. It’s hard. Your body is the tool you need and if it breaks down it is really difficult but you find your way through it.
“Players are fortunate now. With me, my career was on the line. Now most of these guys, not all, make enough money to look after themselves for the future. Not that it’s about that, it doesn’t make it feel any better when you’re injured, but it’s worse when you’re injured for that long and you don’t know what is coming next and you are on the breadline. That’s a whole different ball game. But he has had a tough run of it, there is no doubt about that, and on the back of him feeling better about himself. To have this period out has been very challenging for him but whenever I see him he seems to be in good spirits. He’s well aware of the situation.”
