Everton look set to return from the international break with positive news on the club’s forward line. Armando Broja, the deadline day arrival from Chelsea, stepped up his first team training with his new teammates during the international break as he continues his fightback from an achilles issue.
Dwight McNeil has also been heavily involved in training sessions at Finch Farm, having missed the trip to West Ham United with a knee issue.
Injuries have plagued Sean Dyche’s plans for the season so far and will continue to pose concerns during the build up to Brentford, with Jarrad Branthwaite’s fitness chief among the questions set to be posed over the coming days. The centre back missed the summer as he recovered from a groin operation and then suffered a quad issue after returning to play 90 minutes in the win over Crystal Palace in September.
Dyche has since said Branthwaite played in that game despite concerns from the manager over whether it was too early in his comeback. He suggested that led to increased caution before his return at West Ham last week. Since then, Branthwaite has withdrawn from international duty for treatment to a minor groin injury Everton said was suffered at the London Stadium.
He had initially been called up for the Under-21s before then being promoted to the senior squad. His return to Everton was described as a precautionary measure by the club. Fellow defender and club captain Seamus Coleman also had to pull out of international duty after he suffered a hamstring issue before he was due to join up with the Republic of Ireland squad.
But going forward Dyche looks like he is closing on a stronger attacking unit. McNeil missed West Ham after a knee injury he suffered a fortnight earlier flared in the aftermath of the defeat at Southampton. Pictures and video released by the club throughout the week suggests he has overcome those concerns.
And Broja is clearly edging towards his competitive debut. Dyche said heading into the break that this fortnight would be too early for him to feature in a behind-closed-doors friendly but he has clearly stepped up his training commitments. The striker may well feature for the U21s first, a process Youssef Chermiti is also starting to get closer to as he fights back from a serious foot injury. Midfielders James Garner (back) and Tim Iroegbunam (foot) remain longer term absentees.