David Moyes issues Jarrad Branthwaite fitness update as Everton handed new injury concern

David Moyes offered fitness updates on several players ahead of Everton's game with Aston Villa

David Moyes insists Everton’s most valuable player Jarrad Branthwaite is still “a few weeks” off returning to the team while revealing that Iliman Ndiaye is also a doubt for the Aston Villa game on Saturday.

Branthwaite was kept behind in the UK when the Blues travelled to the USA for their three games in the Premier League Summer Series after picking up a knock at Blackburn Rovers. However, after returning to the side for Everton’s final pre-season friendly against Roma, the centre-back has been sidelined with a hamstring injury for all of their competitive matches so far this term.

There have been reports that Branthwaite has been stepping up his recovery on the training pitch at Finch Farm but Moyes said: “Jarrad’s getting closer. He’s not quite there yet.

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“He’s certainly getting closer. Hopefully we get him back because he’s a huge player for us.

“He’s got a big value and we’ve got lots of hopes for him. So, we’re looking forward to getting him back.

“I’ve no idea at the moment but I think it will be a few weeks before we’re at that stage.”

Everton have a fresh injury concern for the visit of Unai Emery’s side though with Ndiaye, who has scored in each of his last two Premier League games, facing a fitness battle to be involved.

Moyes said: “I’m concerned about Iliman Ndiaye, he’s got a knock. So, we’ll need to see, we’re not sure how he’ll be for tomorrow.”

Left-back Vitalii Mykolenko’s fitness is also in the balance after he played against Mansfield Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers but then withdrew from international duty with Ukraine. Moyes said: “Myko’s around, we’ll have to see if he makes it or not. Hopefully, he might be ok.

“He’d felt something in the game against Wolves and he made it know but he felt that he was fine to go to Ukraine and go with them. But once he got there, he felt he wasn’t maybe quite right and he came away from it.”

The Blues boss was also asked about another couple of full-back options Nathan Patterson and Adam Aznou. He said: “They’re both back in training. Patto’s not had any football yet, so I wouldn’t put him down yet as match-ready, but he’s been back now for the past week or so.

“Young Adam got a game at Doncaster. We’re just about getting them back in amongst it.

“They’re back fit but are they match-ready to play? I’m not 100% sure.”

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