Jarrad Branthwaite is believed to have picked up a new injury at Everton and is facing a battle to be fit to face Newcastle, according to Lewis Steele.
The Daily Mail journalist reported via X on 3 October the centre-back has a quad issue and is now a concern for the weekend’s Premier League fixture.
Branthwaite only just returned from offseason surgery as the Toffees picked up their first win of the season against Crystal Palace on 28 September.
Eddie Howe’s Magpies travel to Goodison Park for the 5.30pm kick off on Saturday 5 October.
Everton star in race to be fit for Goodison Park clash
It is surely no coincidence that Branthwaite’s return to the line-up saw Dyche’s men pick up their first win of the campaign so if he is forced to miss more time it would be a major blow.
The manager’s job has been called into question following a miserable start to the season without the England international so it is the last thing the former Burnley boss will have needed just as he looks to get things back on track.
The 22-year-old featuring at least, a first win, and the announcement of the Dan Friedkin takeover had constituted a hugely positive set of developments for Evertonians.
And while the American buying out Farhad Moshiri surely remains the key boost there isn’t much leeway for the on-pitch situation to take a setback already.
