Jarrad Branthwaite is set to endure further frustration in his attempts to return to action with news that he suffered a set-back in his recovery from a hamstring injury and will need to go under the knife to correct the problem.

The highly-rated centre-back had been expected to be named in the match-day squad last Saturday for Everton’s trip to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City after missing most of pre-season and all of the Blues’ start to 2025/26 but broke down again and didn’t travel.

Branthwaite has now been scheduled for surgery to correct what the club describe as a “complication” in his recovery and faces an as-yet undetermined spell in rehabilitation.

Regarded as Everton’s best defender, Branthwaite signed a lucrative new five-year contract in July as the club attempted to ward off interest from potential suitors looking to poach the 23-year-old.

He has, however, battled soft-tissue injuries over the past year or so and missed the start of last season as well with a groin problem.

Reader Responses

Selected thoughts from readers
Certain off-topic comments may be removed to keep the discussion on track

1  Harry Hockley
20/10/2025    21:26:46

Get rid!

Get a right back in January put Jake in the middle for now.
Were short for defenders now! Very Everton this is.
This is what happens when recruitment is poor, it comes back to bite you in the proverbial.

A great talent but sadly overshadowed by his terrible injury record. Jarrad a great career on a hospital bed blighted by playing football.


2  Paul Conway
20/10/2025    23:29:09

Harry
personally, I think we will be needing 2 defenders in January, should any of our present back line get injured.

3  Ian Pilkington
21/10/2025    18:00:12

Harry Hockley@1
An utterly ridiculous post.

4  Mike Barrett
21/10/2025    19:59:50

Harry Hockley @1 the sort of comment I'd expect to see on toffeeweb utterly ridiculous

5  Dennis Stevens
21/10/2025    20:08:11

Not sure we'd attract too many bidders at the mo' - certainly wouldn't get top dollar, Harry.

6  Darren Hind
21/10/2025    22:13:10

After breathing a collective sigh of relief that he was still here when the window closed, Evertonians will be gutted at this news.

Bad news for the fans. Bad news for the club and desperately bad news for the boy himself

7  Harry Hockley
21/10/2025    23:02:33

Dennis 5,

Get him up to speed by late March, with a strong finish to the season then cash in.

Sell him to Spurs for 55-60m or anyone that wants him.

8  Dennis Stevens
22/10/2025    00:23:22

I'll be relieved if he's back up to speed in time for next season, Harry.

9  Jerome Shields
22/10/2025    07:38:38

I just think there are questions regarding his treatment and rehabilitation at Finch Farm.

Was the initial injury in August 2025 correctly assessed (grade/severity) and treated conservatively when perhaps surgical or more intensive rehab might have been preferable?

Was the progression from rehab to team training to full training appropriate given his prior injury history  of groin surgery and a prior hamstring strain?

Were muscle strength, fatigue, imbalances, biomechanics (pelvis, hamstring : quadriceps ratio, glute/ham chain) fully addressed before returning him to full training? This is apparently a normal protocol in such cases  from what I can find out.

Was the decision to return him to full training  made with all criteria met  given the high recurrence risk of hamstring injuries?

Did the club’s medical team have the optimal protocol for hamstring reinjury prevention and monitoring, given he is a key player?

Once he reported discomfort after rejoining training, should an earlier intervention have been triggered rather than pressing ahead.

He already has had groin surgery, so this is more career saving surgery.

I hope he is able to cope with this devastating situation and wish him well in his recovery I am not happy that his new recovery and rehab phase are being still being managed by the same Medical Services Team.He is a key player and there should be accountability for this botched situation.

10  John Fitzgerald
22/10/2025    13:19:53

Jerome, the answer to your questions is: shit happens. You have zero evidence that his recovery was mismanaged or botched.

11  Jerome Shields
23/10/2025    23:12:32

John#10

So he has recovered then.

12  Ian Herbert
12/11/2025    00:25:16

Harry @ 7, thank god you aren't the Everton manager. Nor have any say in our transfer business

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