England’s interim manager Lee Carsley has been explaining the injury picked up by Jarrad Branthwaite after the Everton centre-back pulled out of the Three Lions squad
Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite has become the ninth player to withdraw from the England’s squad. The Euro 2024 runners-up have had to deal with a variety of players pulling out of the Nations League double-header away to Greece this evening and against the Republic of Ireland at Wembley on Sunday.
Declan Rice, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer pulled out of the initial selection on Monday, as did Jack Grealish, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Levi Colwill and Aaron Ramsdale. Branthwaite was among five players brought into the squad but the Blues centre-back has had to sit out training and has now withdrawn due to a groin issue and has been replaced by Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah.
Former Everton midfielder Lee Carsley, who will be taking charge of his final couple of fixtures as England’s interim head coach before Thomas Tuchel takes over next year, said: “Jarrad stayed behind. Jarell has replaced him, so it’s a great opportunity for him.
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“Jarrad had a slight issue that he’s had in the past, so we were never going to take any chances with him. Again, it’s a good opportunity for Jarell.”
Branthwaite, who won his only England cap to date as a 62nd minute substitute in the 3-0 friendly win over Bosnia and Herzegovina at St James’ Park on June 3, has started just two games for the Blues this term after undergoing an operation for a groin injury over the summer.
Everton’s breakthrough star of last season, the 22-year-old was subject of two rejected bids from Manchester United in June and July.
Branthwaite made a triumphant return for Sean Dyche’s side in the 2-1 comeback win over Crystal Palace on September 28, but his only other outing so far was last Saturday when, after a couple of late cameo appearances off the bench against Fulham and Southampton, he played the full 90 minutes of the goalless draw at West Ham United.
Everton said in a statement: “Jarrad Branthwaite has withdrawn from the England squad as a precautionary measure to return to Everton for treatment on a minor groin issue.
“The Blues defender sustained the niggle during the goalless draw at West Ham United on Saturday and, as a result, England interim manager Lee Carsley confirmed in his press conference on Wednesday evening that Branthwaite has left the Three Lions squad to undergo treatment with Everton’s medical team at Finch Farm.”
