Everton will be looking to put things right on Saturday when they make the trip down to the capital to face West Ham United.
Sean Dyche is facing mounting pressure due to the loss against a struggling Southampton side last time out.
And a number of Everton fans have been left stunned by Dyche not starting Jarrad Branthwaite following the defender’s return from injury.
Branthwaite has had his injury issues this year and has only recently returned following a minor setback earlier in the campaign.
However, the defender is struggling to work his way back into the starting XI despite being highly sought after during the summer window.
But Dyche has now shares his honest thoughts on Branthwaite’s return from injury over recent weeks.
Sean Dyche addresses Jarrad Branthwaite’s injury return at Everton
Branthwaite has already missed a considerable chunk of the 2024/25 campaign so far following that injury he suffered earlier in the year.
This has seen the 22-year-old earn just one start in the Premier League this season with Dyche sharing the thought process behind the scenes when it comes to the centre-back.
“I thought was a bit early for Jarrad, but the consensus was: ‘no, I think he’s right to come play’. And then two days later, he got injured again,” said Dyche during his press conference on Thursday.
“So I’m not saying I’m right, but I just thought it was a bit too quick. So we had to be careful, coming back again, because if not you go through that period where it’s play a few, get injured, play a few, get injured and we’re trying to push that way because we’ve had so many injuries.”
Clearly Dyche is concerned about overloading Branthwaite on his return but it does seem as if there is a glaring need for the defender to come back into the mix.
Dyche has shocked the Everton players by not starting Branthwaite with the fans seemingly growing in frustration over the situation.
- READ MORE: Sean Dyche has just dropped a team selection hint that will have Everton fans fearing the worst
Everton predicted XI vs West Ham
The big question is going to come over whether Branthwaite is going to start at the back for the Toffees on Saturday.
Everton fans are evidently in favour of seeing the 22-year-old return to the starting lineup.
The Toffees are going to have to manage Branthwaite carefully amid the growing interest in his services ahead of the coming transfer windows.
It is believed Branthwaite is aiming for a bigger club than Everton in the future and not playing him may only grow any potential desire to leave.
Everton predicted XI vs West Ham: Pickford; Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Mangala, Gueye; Lindstrom, McNeil, Ndiaye; Beto
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