View: Everton may have their saviour after Dyche comments in past 24 hours

Jarrad Branthwaite is on the verge of a long-awaited return to action in a development that can help Everton turn their dismal Premier League form around.

Sean Dyche stated on 19 September that Branthwaite is close to a return to first-team football and could feature for the club’s Under-21s side against Sunderland on Sunday (22 September)

Branthwaite is yet to play a minute this season following surgery on a groin injury suffered over the summer, and the Toffees have sorely missed last season’s star man.

In his absence, Dyche’s side have shipped 13 goals on their way to four straight Premier League defeats, and it seems only Branthwaite’s return will stem the flow of goals the Blues are currently conceding.

Branthwaite will not be available to face Leicester City this weekend, but this update opens the door for him to potentially feature against Crystal Palace the following week all going well.

Everton need Jarrad Branthwaite to return amid defensive woes

You’d struggle to find a defensive-minded Toffees player who hasn’t come in for heavy criticism following their poor start to the new season, with Branthwaite’s absence being exacerbated by the week.

Playing regularly alongside James Tarkowski despite the £16.9million signing of Jake O’Brien over the summer, Michael Keane has faced the brunt of this criticism following “nervous” displays at the back.

Being without Branthwaite in the backline is a prospect many Toffees fans had braced themselves for this season, amid a summer of speculation regarding a £70million transfer to Manchester United.

The 22-year-old staying put is a massive win for the Blues this season, but Dyche is yet to reap any benefits from his star defender’s continued involvement thanks to his continued injury woes.

Fast-tracking Branthwaite back into the side would only risk further worry, but regardless, fans will hope that the defender returns to the fold as soon as possible and rectifies their leaky rearguard.

In other Everton news, Paul Merson has given his verdict on how the Toffees’ upcoming match against Leicester will pan out.

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The post View: Everton may have their saviour after Dyche comments in past 24 hours appeared first on Goodison News.