Sean Dyche explains why he won’t rush back Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite after Palace regret

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Sean Dyche’s team selection may have baffled some yesterday, but when Everton cruised to a 2-0 victory, few could have any complaints.

After all, those who are often the most scrutinised stood up to star against Ipswich Town, exhibiting immense spirit and quality to prove the doubters wrong.

The Everton manager would have preferred to have his full-strength side for this entire Premier League season, but that is simply a luxury that few ever get.

It just so happens that this particular campaign has been relentlessly ravaged, with regular injuries having persisted since the opening game.

And, whilst many might question the continued absence of Jarrad Branthwaite despite his presence in full training, Dyche has now explained why he remains so tentative about his fitness.

Sean Dyche explains Jarrad Branthwaite injury vs Ipswich Town

With Michael Keane enjoying a fine run of form at the moment, there’s little cause for concern at the moment at the back, with Everton keeping back-to-back clean sheets for the first time this season.

However, all fans would much prefer to have Branthwaite available, as their leading defender who adds pace, power and poise to their back four.

Speaking to the press after yesterday,’s win, naturally, his absence came up.

Dyche’s answer was pretty straightforward though, as he simply admitted: ‘To be fair, it was a tough call. The last game we put him in, I wasn’t sure about it. I thought it was maybe too early. He did great and then he got injured again. So, that was like, okay, we need to give him a period when he is properly fit. And I thought this was too quick.’

It’ll be useful to have him back fully fit and healthy, given that Jack Harrison thinks Branthwaite is Everton’s fastest player.

Sean Dyche continues to intelligently manage Everton’s’ injuries

Realistically, this intelligent and careful management of injuries is simply what must be done in these situations.

After all, their desperation to rush him back for the Crystal Palace game proved to be a mistake, ruling him out for another few weeks.

This time, they cannot take that risk, and Keane proved why keeping him on the sidelines is not as dangerous as many might have thought.

Nathan Patterson is currently enjoying the same treatment, having not played for the club in months.

However, he made the bench yesterday, and will be poised for a first-team return soon as well.

Given how Dyche managed Dominic Calvert-Lewin back to full fitness, the claims coming from him and the medical staff are worth following. They clearly know what they’re talking about.