Everton fans given ‘really good news’ from Finch Farm

Peter Stevenson has shared an Everton update live from Finch Farm that will be music to the ears of the supporters.

The reporter shared the news on Sky Sports News on Thursday [19 September, 3:18pm] providing the latest update on the injury situation at Goodison Park.

Everton have been notably without defender Jarrad Branthwaite this season and have suffered minor setbacks to several key personnel throughout the first four Premier League fixtures.

Stevenson said: “The headline news is that [Vitalii] Mykolenko and Dominic Calvert-Lewin should be fit to return.

“Tarkowski and Keane had a training session [on Wednesday] and will hopefully get through that with no reaction.

“The really good news is that Jarrad Branthwaite, a significant absentee, will hopefully be back to aid the Everton cause soon as he’s due to play for the Under-21s.”

Jarrad Branthwaite return is a massive boost for Everton

If there was ever a time for Branthwaite to make a return to the Blues side it is now. His teammates need him more than ever after an abysmal start to the season.

Everton have conceded 13 goals in their opening four league matches and the defence can’t figure out how to stop the goals at the moment, with the current crop culpable for two consecutive defeats in which they held a two-goal lead.

The 22-year-old was a rock at the back for the Toffees last season, helping Sean Dyche’s side concede only 51 goals and scoring three of his own, including a memorable opener in the 2-0 win against Liverpool at Goodison Park.

Kevin Thelwell stood his ground throughout multiple approaches from Manchester United for his signature in the summer [Manchester Evening News, 9 September] and his absence in the side, correlating with the poor defensive record, justifies his no-nonsense approach that sees Branthwaite continue for another year with the Blues.

Dyche rolled the dice to no avail in the penalty shootout loss in the Carabao Cup to Southampton on Tuesday [17 September], with Ashley Young best off keeping his head down on Merseyside after his crucial penalty miss [Premier League Productions].

With a huge run of games ahead for Everton, Dyche simply has little choice but to hand Branthwaite his first start of the season should he come through U21s action unscathed.