View: Sean Dyche faces new headache at Everton ahead of Jarrad Branthwaite decision

Jarrad Branthwaite could face a battle to earn his spot back at Everton, leaving Sean Dyche with a decision to make at Goodison Park.

Branthwaite had been expected to make his return from a calf injury against Ipswich on 19 October, but Dyche gave him more time and selected Michael Keane and James Tarkowski instead.

The 22-year-old’s loss proved to be Everton’s gain, keeping a clean sheet in a 2-0 victory which saw Keane score the second goal in spectacular fashion.

With Keane coming into a rich vein of form and Tarkowski being the Blues’ ever-present captain so far this season, Dyche faces a tough call on who to displace once Branthwaite does return.

Sean Dyche has a tough call to make in defence for Everton

Going back just a matter of weeks, Keane would have been the obvious call to drop out of the side for a fit-again Branthwaite, following some high-profile errors which cost the Blues early in the season.

That proved to be the case for Branthwaite’s only appearance of the campaign so far, starting in place of Keane alongside Tarkowski in a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at Goodison Park.

Since that maiden league victory though, both Keane and the Toffees have been firmly on the up, with Dyche’s side now unbeaten in four after two wins and draws respectively.

Keane and Tarkowski are right-footed in contrast to the left-sided Branthwaite, and despite being out of contract in 2025, the former has age on his side compared to Tarkowski, who turns 32 in November.

Branthwaite, when fit, will come back into the team given how highly valued he is at the club, but should the Toffees’ current run continue, who he starts in place of will become an increasingly difficult question.

In other Everton news, Andy Gray was unsure what to think after what Richard Keys pointed out about Dan Friedkin’s takeover.

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