Everton have a player returning from injury who could be even more important than Jarrad Branthwaite

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Everton have started the season ravaged by injuries, making Sean Dyche’s job even harder than it was already going to be.

After all, surviving the drop two seasons in a row marked an impressive feat, but one that many hoped he would not have to endure for a third successive campaign.

But, losing their opening four Premier League games has not helped that case.

There are many factors contributing to their poor form, but few are as pertinent as the absence of one key man.

Fortunately, his return to first-team action is imminent.

Jarrad Branthwaite makes return from injury

After all, Jarrad Branthwaite played the full 90 minutes just yesterday as Everton’s U21s beat Sunderland in a 4-3 thriller.

The centre-back, who was the subject of intense transfer scrutiny all summer, has been injured since the new season started.

It has only been now that his absence has been felt most heavily, with his importance exemplified through their abysmal defensive record.

Last season, their backline was feared. This campaign, that could not be further from the case.

However, he was not alone on the comeback trail, and it could arguably be Nathan Patterson‘s return that proves the most pivotal for Sean Dyche.

Nathan Patterson could solve Everton’s biggest issue

Whilst Branthwaite’s return will be welcomed greatly by Evertonians, there is another whose return might actually have an even bigger effect on the squad.

After all, in centre-back they are laden with options, even if Dyche seems inexplicably set on relying upon Michael Keane to play alongside James Tarkowski.

Meanwhile, at right-back, there is an outstanding vacancy that has plagued them all campaign.

Injuries and suspensions to Ashley Young and Seamus Coleman already had them down to their last legs, and with Patterson having missed all of the campaign thus far too, it has grown into a real problem area.

Many fans had foreseen such an issue emerging as their club captain grew older, yet the management made no moves to rectify it. Now, it’s painfully obvious to see.

It was a testament to their desperation that James Garner was forced there on Saturday, and whilst he impressed, it’s not a long-term solution for the midfielder who impressed last season in the engine room.

Patterson will offer pace and dynamism to a backline sorely lacking those assets, and hopefully a long-term solution to a position that has troubled Everton for years now.

Potentially, his return might even be more important than Branthwaite’s, should he stay fit and start to impress as we all know he can.