Jarrad Branthwaite is in line to return for Everton’s game against Fulham in the Premier League this weekend after overcoming a quad injury.
The towering centre-back, who underwent a minor procedure on a groin problem over the summer, has played just once this season. After making the only appearance of the campaign so far against Crystal Palace last month, he sustained a quad problem in training and missed the games against Newcastle United and Ipswich Town.
Everton have been keen to manage Branthwaite’s latest return to full fitness carefully. Speaking earlier this month, manager Sean Dyche suggested the England international may have been brought back too soon previously, with his subsequent omission for the 2-0 win at Ipswich more precautionary.
In his absence, fellow defender Michael Keane impressed at Portman Road, scoring Everton’s second goal in a routine win. But with Branthwaite, 22, now fit to return, Dyche has a decision to make in central defence.
“Jarrad’s trained all week,” Dyche said. “I made a call on it last week because it was important for him to have a clear week’s training. He has done that and will certainly be part of the squad.
“We have four very good centre-backs all fighting for the shirt. That’ll look after itself.”
On-loan winger Jesper Lindstrom is also set to make his return after missing the Ipswich clash due to illness, but James Garner, Armando Broja, Tim Iroegbunam and Youssef Chermiti remain on the sidelines.
Garner has seen a specialist over a back problem, with Everton awaiting news of his injury. The former Manchester United midfielder was ruled out with a similar issue between November 2022 and April 2023.
Broja, meanwhile, is closing in on a return to full training following an Achilles injury. The next step for the on-loan Chelsea striker is likely to involve minutes for the club’s under-21 side, but Dyche said that is still “a few weeks away”.
Chermiti and Iroegbunam, meanwhile, will also remain on the sidelines for the foreseeable.
“We’re looking at weeks (for Iroegbunam) because of the type of injury it is — a bone injury,” Dyche said. “We’ve just got to wait for it to settle. He’s in a (protective) boot. So it’ll be a number of weeks yet.
“Chermiti is making progress, but it’s a very strange injury — the tendon coming off the big toe. He is beginning to make progress but still a number of weeks away.”
Dele Alli continues to train at Everton’s Finch Farm complex as he looks to overcome his long-standing injury issues.
After a small setback in his recovery earlier this month, the midfielder is back doing light training and hoping to earn a new contract, with his old deal having expired at the end of last season.
Everton are 16th in the table, having gone four games unbeaten.
(Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
