Branthwaite likely to miss Newcastle clash amid 'Serious' Everton injury update - report

Jarrad Branthwaite is now a “serious doubt” for Everton to face Newcastle, according to The Guardian.

The paper reported via their website on 3 October the star defender may not be back until after the international break as it is believed he has picked up a thigh injury.

Sean Dyche didn’t mention the 22-year-old in his prematch press conference earlier in the day but is thought to be unlikely to risk him against the Magpies, having only just returned from groin surgery in the summer.

Branthwaite played his first senior game of the campaign against Crystal Palace on 28 September as the Toffees recorded their first Premier League victory, but he could now be missing until the 19 October trip to Ipswich.

Sean Dyche without Everton star until Ipswich trip?

If there is any risk to knocking Branthwaite out long-term there it isn’t worth the gamble at the weekend when Eddie Howe’s side travel to Merseyside (5 October).

Dyche would have been extremely keen to build some momentum off the back of the win over Palace courtesy of two Dwight McNeil strikes but it looks like he will have a tougher task to do so now.

The drop off from Branthwaite to Michael Keane is significant and the latter’s form during the early-season struggles has been heavily criticised [talkSPORT, 16 September].

Jake O’Brien may be the preferred choice for many but there is a reason why Branthwaite was subject to bids from Manchester United in the summer and has had interest from the likes of Real Madrid [HITC, 16 January] so it is clearly a blow to be without him.

Dyche may not remain the man in charge long-term as The Friedkin Group’s takeover nears [GiveMeSport, 23 September] but he would hope to at least keep himself in the conversation after publicly admitting he would like to stay [The Times, 26 September].

Four defeats and a draw to start the Premier League season without Branthwaite available put his chances of making it to the end of his contract in the summer in doubt [TBR Football, 13 September], and a regression to that sort of form if there are further injury absences from the star centre-back could prove decisive in the new owner’s plans.

In other Everton news, a transfer prediction has been issued by a finance expert as a third points deduction hangs over the club.

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