Jarrad Branthwaite nearing a return to hopefully give Everton a boost

A likely near return for the star centre back.

Transcript

00:00You mentioned Jared Brantwaite there. They've obviously conceded 14 Premier League goals so far.

00:07He's been a real key player over the last couple of seasons for Everton.

00:12They kept him at the club, which was quite a priority over the summer as well.

00:16How important would his injury return be for Everton and hopefully enable them to maybe see out a few more games?

00:24How close are we to that and how important would he be for them to come back in?

00:29It would be massive, to be honest with you, because we've seen how good he was last season.

00:34He was top draw. Real revelation, breaking into the side and staying there and just getting better and better.

00:42We've wanted to buy Manchester United in the summer and Everton stuck to their price tag.

00:47I don't think maybe when he had his minor operation at the start of the summer that Everton envisioned him to be out for this long.

00:55Sometimes that's just injuries, isn't it, and how the body reacts.

00:58He got 90 minutes under his belt for the under-21s on Sunday, which is a big step.

01:04But again, John Dyche is maybe a one to get two 90 minutes under his belt.

01:11I don't know. That's what sometimes he says after long-term injuries.

01:16Do you fast-track him now, Gerard Bramfwaite?

01:18I don't think James Tarkowski has looked quite at his best while Bramfwaite's been out.

01:27Tarkowski himself has a couple of niggles at one pre-season and a back injury that kept him out of the Carabao Cup.

01:34He lost himself, Hampson. I think he just exudes confidence, Gerard Bramfwaite, right throughout the team.

01:41When you play him ahead of him, you can rely on him to maybe get you out of a bit of trouble.

01:47Jordan Pickford maybe knows that when he's in front of him as well and set pieces, he adds something.

01:53Michael Keane, I think he's come under some unfair criticism at times this season.

02:01But Gerard Bramfwaite is a mark of upgrades on him.

02:06I know you've got that left-sided balance and a left footer, which is another facet that you've got to factor in.

02:14You've got to say that I haven't managed to have a real stable back four.

02:19It's probably because of the right-back situation that she's been a little bit up in the air.

02:23Then, obviously, that's less to do without Mikalenko.

02:27That's the young guy to play there.

02:29He had to make a change at Aston Villa when Mikalenko went off with James Garner going up right-back.

02:35I think Jones, maybe settling down that back four will be a big help.

02:39Having a player of the quality of Bramfwaite will just be a mark of boost.