Last week was a bad one for Everton, but there is good news today.
The 4-2 defeat to Brentford was really poor and a few days later, bottom club Wolves came to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
That was a golden opportunity to get back on track.
But Everton could only draw 1-1, despite taking the lead in the game.
The Premier League then took a back seat at the weekend as clubs played in the FA Cup, with Sunderland Everton’s opponents at home.
Another poor performance led to a defeat on penalties for Everton, leaving fans frustrated with the way the club have started 2026.
But there are reasons for optimism – the main one being that several players will be back available for Everton soon.
And one of those players is Jarrad Branthwaite.
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Everton give Jarrad Branthwaite injury update
Branthwaite has not yet played this season for Everton, having suffered a hamstring injury back in early August.
Branthwaite’s issue was initially felt to be not too serious.
But in October, Everton updated supporters that Branthwaite was to undergo a surgical procedure having had complications with his recovery.
Everton have confirmed Jarrad Branthwaite is back in light training! 🚨
How big a boost will his return be, Everton fans?
Supporters have been desperate for the England international to return.
And it seems like that may not be too much further away now, with Everton today sharing a video clip on social media showing Branthwaite heading out to the training pitches at Finch Farm.
The club wrote as their caption: “😁 All smiles from Jarrad Branthwaite as he steps up his recovery. The defender isn’t there yet, but he is edging closer towards a return ✊”
They also wrote ‘Jarrad Branthwaite returns to light training for Everton’ as text in the actual clip.
Branthwaite return will be a welcome boost for Everton
Everton have done OK this season defensively, keeping eight clean sheets.
However, most Everton fans would agree that the backline would be better off with Branthwaite in it.
Michael Keane has had a good season so far, but a partnership of James Tarkowski and Branthwaite for the second half of the season may give a better chance of securing European football for Everton.
And of course, if there are some strong additions to positions like right-back and striker. Emil Holm has been strongly linked with Everton, and there have also been links to Brooke Norton-Cuffy.
Hopefully, Branthwaite will rejoin the full group as soon as possible, and he can get back into that starting XI.
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