Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is expected to miss the remainder of the season after suffering a significant hamstring injury, dealing a major blow to both club and country ambitions.
The 23-year-old sustained the injury during Everton’s recent 2-1 defeat to Liverpool in the Merseyside derby, with early tests confirming damage to his right hamstring.
Branthwaite was visibly distressed as he was stretchered off late in the match and later left the stadium on crutches, raising immediate concerns over the severity of the issue.
Everton manager David Moyes admitted after the game that he was “worried” about the defender, and those fears have now been largely confirmed.
While the injury is not believed to be as severe as initially feared, Branthwaite is still expected to be ruled out for the rest of the campaign.
There remains cautious optimism that he could return in time for pre-season, provided his rehabilitation progresses without complications.
The setback also effectively ends any hopes of Branthwaite forcing his way into the England squad contention ahead of the upcoming World Cup.
He had been targeting a late push for selection under Thomas Tuchel after returning from an earlier spell on the sidelines.
However, a lack of consistent minutes this season had already left him facing an uphill battle to break into the squad.
Branthwaite has endured a frustrating campaign overall, having missed the first half of the season with a previous hamstring injury that required surgery.
He has made just 10 Premier League appearances this term, with Everton carefully managing his workload in recent months to avoid further setbacks.
His absence now represents a significant loss for Everton at a crucial stage of the season.
The club remain in contention for European qualification, sitting just one point off sixth place with a handful of fixtures remaining.
Branthwaite’s pace, composure and ability to play out from defence have been central to Moyes’ tactical setup, particularly in allowing the team to adopt a more aggressive style.
His likely replacement is expected to be experienced centre-back Michael Keane, although further injuries in defence could force a reshuffle.
Everton will now have to navigate the run-in without one of their most important players, while Branthwaite focuses on recovery ahead of the next campaign.
For both player and club, the priority is ensuring a full return to fitness after a season that has been repeatedly disrupted by injury.
