Everton manager Sean Dyche has given a positive update on defenders Jarrad Branthwaite and Vitalii Mykolenko for his side’s Premier League match at home to fellow strugglers Crystal Palace on Saturday (3pm BST).
Centre-back Branthwaite, who has had groin surgery, made his first appearance of the season for Everton Under-21s against Sunderland on Sunday, while Ukraine left-back Mykolenko has been ill.
Scotland right-back Patterson also featured in the Premier League 2 game following a long-term absence as a result of hamstring surgery.
🔘 Jarrad Branthwaite
🔘 Nathan Patterson
🔘 Idrissa Gana Gueye
🔘 Vitalii MykolenkoThe boss provides the latest fitness and availability update ahead of #EVECRY. pic.twitter.com/uDkv99kDK9
— Everton (@Everton) September 26, 2024
📰 Table Of Contents
Everton injury update
“Jarrad’s in front of the curve compared to Patto,” said Dyche. “Jarrad’s had a good couple of weeks now. Patto’s had a much longer period out and quite a serious injury.
“He’s doing very well at the moment but that’s a longer recovery. Myko’s well again. We are beginning to look more rounded as a squad. Getting everyone to the fitness level the Premier League [requires] has been the biggest challenge.”
Midfielder Idrissa Gueye has not trained for seven day while the Senegal international has been dealing with the death of his father.
Captain Seamus Coleman and forwards Armando Broja and Youssef Chermiti will take “a bit longer” with their comebacks, Dyche added.
Happy Birthday, @IGanaGueye! 🎉💙 pic.twitter.com/LKj4777ERL
— Everton (@Everton) September 26, 2024
Everton takeover
The long-running saga of a potential Everton takeover appears to be nearing a conclusion after the Friedkin Group announced on Monday that they have reached an agreement to buy Farhad Moshiri’s majority 94% stake in the Toffees.
They are likely to spend around £600 million on the deal. Dyche hopes the move will bring stability to a club that has been unsettled by uncertainty over its ownership, issues around Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules and the threat of relegation during recent years.
“There’s a long way to go to get everything to a final point but the early signs look favourable in the situation,” he said. “It certainly looks like a stronger situation in the past. It’s been on unsettled ground for such a long time now.
“It’s not a given that they speak to me, but you would imagine they will at some point. They’ll have a view of what the club is and what their thinking is moving forwards. Until I know more about that, my situation hasn’t changed.”
Since taking over Italian side Roma in 2020, the Friedkins’ major decisions have included the removal of Jose Mourinho – arguably the most high-profile manager in football – last season.
A welcome return to training. 👋 pic.twitter.com/4jS5ZzqSsB
— Everton (@Everton) September 25, 2024
Everton vs Palace
Dyche’s future is a mystery to the 53-year-old but a first victory of the season at the sixth time of asking could help his chances of retaining his job when Everton face opponents who are also without a win.
“There has been a lot of good change, I think,” Dyche said of his tenure, which began in January 2023. “But the current situation needs changing – we’ve got to get back to winning games.
“I don’t know their business model or strategy; I can only go on [thinking that], broadly and very generally speaking, they’ve done a good job with Roma.
“I’ve dealt with many owners. Some want to learn from you about it and some want to thrust upon you and the club what they’re going to do.”
