AliousEverton defender Jarrad Branthwaite was deliberately rested for the team’s away fixture at Ipswich Town’s Portman Road stadium. Manager Sean Dyche revealed this was a precautionary measure, as the young center back had just begun training again on Thursday following a quad injury. Though there was some consideration of including him in the squad, the management ultimately decided against risking his fitness.
The decision was made easier by Michael Keane’s recent impressive performances. Keane justified his selection by scoring in Everton’s 2-0 victory, with Dyche praising both his general performance and finishing ability. The manager specifically noted that Keane had earned his place in the starting lineup.
The situation is particularly delicate given Branthwaite’s recent injury history. He had only recently made his comeback in a match against Crystal Palace after spending several months recovering from groin surgery. Unfortunately, he developed a quad problem shortly after that return, which has made the coaching staff more cautious about rushing his return to action.
Dyche elaborated on the decision-making process, explaining that while Branthwaite was eager to play, the previous quick return may have contributed to his subsequent injury. Given that he had only managed two training sessions (Thursday and Friday), the manager opted for a more conservative approach. The plan is to allow Branthwaite to continue his rehabilitation work at the training ground and complete a full week of training before considering him for selection again.
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