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.
Reader Comments (8)
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2 Posted 15/01/2026 at 16:40:54
Having a fit Branthwaite back will be a huge bonus, but not only is the absence of a quality full-back alongside him a real issue. He won't get picked by Moyes if and until Keane or Tarkowski are injured or suspended.
3 Posted 15/01/2026 at 17:53:52
One thing that bothers me is, aside from Pickford, who doesn't stop talking, and when Tarkowski departs, we have no leaders. We are very quiet. Good teams need leaders.
4 Posted 15/01/2026 at 22:56:31
Definitely one of Tarkowski's good points, too.
5 Posted 16/01/2026 at 07:47:32
This lad has been missed so much, people don't realize that he's a ball-playing central defender but he's also got a good turn of pace which is what we are missing badly now in defence.
6 Posted 16/01/2026 at 08:08:21
Whatever happens on the field, I'd rather struggle without him than rush him back... even if it meant we didn't see him at all this season
7 Posted 16/01/2026 at 09:47:47
Jim, who are those people? I hope they are getting the meaningful assistance they obviously require.
Derek, are you competing for Neil's crown?
Ian, as a strong advocate for persistent on-field communication, the only thing I'd add is that it is a bit ‘horses for courses'. Any criticism must be constructive and, even when it is, there are some who just don't like being ‘talked to'.
8 Posted 16/01/2026 at 20:17:36
When I was young, I went for an interview for a sports centre trainee manager's job. For whatever reason, the guy interviewed 3 of us at the same time and asked the question:
What's the best way to lead people, from the front, side by side, or encouraging from the background?
We all went away to consider our answers. Interestingly, we each gave a different answer, to which he replied: 'You're all wrong', it depends on the individual and the circumstances. I've applied that ever since.
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1 Posted 15/01/2026 at 16:26:22
We badly need to sign a full-back now, and O'Brien can partner Jarrad, which would stop us from being so deep and slow defensively.