Jarrad Branthwaite has returned to training as the young Everton centre-back is fighting to make a comeback from recurring hamstring issues. Branthwaite is yet to play a single minute of first-team football this season.
The 23-year-old, who signed a new long-term deal with the Toffees over the summer and put an end to frequent speculation linking him away from Merseyside, had a stop-start pre-season. Injuries prevented him from joining the team’s US Summer Series and he suffered a setback in the friendly against AS Roma.
Just as he was inching closer to returning to the pitch in the week before facing Manchester City, he suffered another relapse in November, forcing him to undergo surgery.
“Operation completed successfully. Thanks to the medical team for their work and to everyone who’s reached out with messages of support,” he wrote on social media.
“Even the negative ones add fuel to the fire and make me more determined. It’s been the toughest spell of my career so far but challenges build character. I’ll be stronger and better. Don’t doubt it.”
Branthwaite is making strides in his recovery and stepping out for “light” training at Finch Farm is a positive development for the centre-back. His return to the pitch can’t come soon enough with the Blues short on players during this stage of the season.
However, the club will be careful not to rush him back and current optimistic expectations are that he could return to action by the end of the month.