Everton manager Sean Dyche has been speaking about his playes’ fitness ahead of the home game with Brentford
Everton are again sweating on Jarrad Branthwaite for Saturday’s home game against Brentford, but Blues boss Sean Dyche insists he remains “hopeful” over the fitness of his squad’s most valuable player. Branthwaite was Everton’s breakthrough star of last season and after making his England debut on June 3, was the subject of a brace of offers from Manchester United over the summer but injury issues since then have restricted the 22-year-old to just two starts for his club since he won his first cap against Bosnia and Herzegovina at St James’ Park.
Dyche has since revealed that Branthwaite underwent an operation ahead of the current campaign for a groin issue and after making a triumphant return in the 2-1 comeback win over Crystal Palace on September 28, he was sidelined again, only coming on for a couple of late cameo appearances off the bench in the 1-1 home draw with Fulham and 1-0 defeat at Southampton before completing 90 minutes in the goalless draw at West Ham United last time out on November 9. The centre-back was subsequently called up for the England Under-21s squad and then elevated to the full Three Lions squad, only to withdraw through injury.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference at Finch Farm to preview Brentford’s visit, Dyche said: “Dwight (McNeil) has come through it well actually and has had a really good week training. Jarrad trained today after settling things down so we’ll see how he responds overnight but we’re hopeful on that and he should be ok.
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“Seamus (Coleman) is on the grass but he’s with the medical side, so he’s just taking the first steps back. Jimmy (Garner) has had good news from the specialist but obviously he’s been out a while now, so he’s going to have to start the training period again, because it’s a back injury, and I’ve had a few myself, you have to be careful in the initial spell.
“Tim (Iroegbunam) is similar but different in that it’s a stress response in his foot is clearing up so he can start sort of semi-loading again now and making sure that he starts his progress back.”
Dyche also spoke about the fitness of transfer deadline day signing Armando Broja. The striker, who joined Everton just before the window closed, arrived on a season-long loan with an option for a permanent move.
The Blues boss said: “He’s not involved, but he’s back training. He’s only just getting full training, we’ve been doing light bits to get him integrated into the group and as much for his injury as well.
“He’s had a full week’s training, but he does need a games programme, obviously. We’re looking at the dates now because we wanted to ensure that he came through his first full week and it was interrupted because of the international break as well.
“He’s done well with that, he feels good and he’s looking fit, so we’ll introduce a games programme as soon as the medical staff, the scientists and myself, align, but it’s very soon now, I think. We brought him here to offer something, that’s obvious, I think he’s hungry, he’s got a desire and has worked very hard to get fit.
“Youssef (Chermiti) is making good progress as well. He’s slightly behind but he had his first full day with us today and that was pleasing because he’s worked very hard with an unfortunate injury.
“So there’s two different styles of centre-forwards and we’ll see what they offer. But first things first, is to get them fully fit and out there playing.”
