Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is currently ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Branthwaite has not played for Everton in this Premier League campaign as he suffered complications with his recovery.
Last term, the England international made 30 league appearances and was among the best players for the Toffees.
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Jarrad Branthwaite could return imminently to first-team training for Everton
At the end of December, David Moyes claimed that Branthwaite was close to returning to the grass to begin individual training.
He stated that he would be integrated with the squad in a few weeks, and it seems like he could make his first-team training return imminently.
Dr Rajpal Brar, an injury expert and sports scientist, claims that while he is close to being back from a hamstring injury, Everton are expected to be careful with him to avoid the risk of reinjury.
FINALLY some good news of Jarrad Branthwaite’s injury issue. Surely not long now… 🫣
The defender is yet to kick a ball this season after inking his new deal
It may take a few games before he is ready to play the full 90 minutes as well.
Dr Brar told Everton News exclusively: “Based on the timescale and what has been said, it sounds like he is starting to get into more sports-specific rehab, which is a good sign.
“With how long he’s been out and how important a core piece he is for the squad, I would expect his runway to be longer so as to not risk reinjury.
“Hard to say when he might be ready for a full 90, but the club will be very gradual with him.
“He could be back in first-team training imminently if he is on course to return in the third week of January.”
How will David Moyes and Everton deal with Branthwaite?
As mentioned above, the club are not expected to rush Branthwaite back, and the message will be relayed to Moyes by the coaching staff.
Everton take on Aston Villa on 18 January, and it remains to be seen if the 23-year-old is back in time for that one.
In case he is, Moyes is expected to keep him on the bench and potentially bring him off the bench, depending on the state of the game.
If he still has not recovered, a return against Leeds United on 26 January should be on the cards for Branthwaite.
Regardless of when he returns, it is fair to say that he will not be playing the full 90 minutes until the first week of February, at the earliest.
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