Jarrad Branthwaite’s expected replacement emerges as Everton injury causes serious doubt

Jarrad Branthwaite’s expected replacement emerges as Everton injury causes serious doubt

Jarrad Branthwaite is a “serious doubt” for Sean Dyche and Michael Keane is the man “on standby” to replace him in the Everton XI, according to Paul Joyce.

The Times journalist wrote for the paper’s website on 3 October that the former Burnley defender is the man likely to step back in if his star teammate misses the visit of Newcastle on 5 October.

Branthwaite only returned from groin surgery to make his first senior appearance of the campaign in the 2-1 win over Crystal Palace last week (28 September) but has suffered a set back with a quad injury in training and is now unlikely to be fit to face the Magpies.

If he does miss the Newcastle game he is expected to be back on the other side of the international break.

Sean Dyche set to hand Michael Keane Everton return

Many supporters might wish to see summer signing Jake O’Brien elevated to the primary back-up at centre-back but Dyche has shown already this season that is unlikely.

When the giant Irishman arrived from Lyon during the transfer window it was largely seen as a move to insulate the Toffees from needing to turn to Keane so often, with the Englishman’s form heavily criticised in recent seasons.

Some of that is arguably overblown and nobody at the back has been helped by the constant uncertainty at the full-back spots, but Branthwaite’s importance was evidenced immediately as Everton won a first Premier League game of the campaign after he replaced Keane in the line-up.

The fact that O’Brien, 23, hasn’t been included in the Ireland squad this month may be indicative of struggles to adapt to the Premier League or a lack of game time.

Either way it suggests the move to Goodison Park has so far been slightly disappointing, even if there is plenty of time for him to establish himself still.

To an extent the injury issues in the squad have forced his hand but Dyche’s team selections and substitutions have been part of the problem as awful early results called his job into question.

It probably doesn’t do Keane himself much good to be seen as a manager’s favourite when his performances don’t seem to justify the faith, but it may be that O’Brien is not yet up to standard behind the scenes either.

Whoever comes in against Eddie Howe’s side it is likely to increase the size of the task of building on the win last week, when momentum is a must to make up for lost time.

In other Everton news, a Sky Sports journalist has jumped to the defence of the Toffees CEO amid accusations he lied to fans.