Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite forced to resign after injuring his thigh in training | Everton

Everton could be without influential defender Jarrad Branthwaite until after the international break due to an injury in training. Branthwaite made his first appearance of the season for Sean Dyche’s side last weekend after undergoing groin surgery in the summer.

His return contributed to a much-improved defensive performance as Everton recorded their first Premier League win of the campaign against Crystal Palace. However, the 22-year-old is understood to have suffered a thigh injury this week and is a serious doubt for Saturday’s home game against Newcastle.

Dyche did not mention Branthwaite as a potential absentee at his pre-match press conference on Thursday, with the defender still being assessed. But the Everton manager is unlikely to risk the centre-back after a long spell on the sidelines, and Branthwaite could be out until the trip to Ipswich on October 19.