Jarrad Branthwaite and Merlin Röhl have returned to group training as Everton prepare for their assignment against Manchester City at Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Branthwaite, who committed his long-term future with the club after signing a new deal this summer, is yet to play an official game this season while Röhl, signed from Freiburg on loan, made just one appearance off the bench before getting injured.
However, Nathan Patterson’s injury-riddled spell continues as he picked up another knock during the Under-21s’ EFL Trophy match against Bradford City in midweek, a game Dwight McNeil and Adam Aznou also featured in.
“Jarrad [Branthwaite] is back on the grass, Merlin [Röhl] is back on the grass, unfortunately Patto [Patterson] picked up an injury for the Under-21s in midweek, so we’ve got bits and pieces going on but all the clubs will be the same,” David Moyes said in the pre-match press conference.
The Everton boss will be unable to count on star man Jack Grealish, who won’t be available to face his parent side. However, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is expected to slot straight back into the starting XI after missing the last game due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
“Everyone has players coming back from international duty, trying to get them ready and finding out what condition they’re in. We’re no different from anybody else.
“Jack [Grealish] will be a miss for us because he’s played so well but we knew that when we came to play Manchester City, so it’s not expected.
“We’ll rejig, get ready and get ready to go against Man City.
“Kiernan is back after a ridiculous two bookings got him suspended but, thankfully, we had a great win against Crystal Palace without him in the team. We’ll have him back in and amongst it, that’s for sure.”
The international break was a busy period for the club as they tied down two important squad members – James Tarkowski and Jordan Pickford – to new deals. Tarkowski has signed a new contract through to 2028 while Pickford is to stay at the club until at least 2029.
Speaking about the contract extensions, Moyes added, “I’m really pleased. It’s good news we got Jordan and James Tarkowski signed, and Jarrad in the summer as well.
“I’m pleased. I think they’ve been three players who have made a big difference to the team, certainly since I came in I think they’ve done a good job.
“I had [Pickford] at Sunderland and I always thought he was going to be a top goalkeeper. He was very, very good as a young goalkeeper and he’s continued to develop throughout his career.”
Moyes was asked about winger Joel Catesby who also sustained a really nasty injury while he was playing for Everton U21s in the 5-1 Vertu Trophy defeat at Bradford City on Tuesday , with Moyes in attendance.
The Birkenhead-born prospect who has been with the Blues since the age of 4 underwent lengthy treatment on the pitch at Valley Parade following a challenge by Brad Halliday in which it appeared he may have broken his ankle. Apparently, the club are still unable to provide an accurate update.