David Moyes has said he does not know whether Jack Grealish will be available for Everton's home game against Coventry City on Friday night, after the midfielder was left out of the squad for back-to-back wins over Newcastle United.
The club confirmed before their Carabao Cup tie against Newcastle last Thursday that Grealish had been omitted for a disciplinary breach, which the ECHO understands was due to him missing a scheduled training session.
Following Everton's 3-1 victory, which set up a quarter-final trip to Fleetwood Town, Moyes said: "You probably know I am not going to give any details. It is a club decision and I support it."
Moyes non-committal on Grealish return
The manager was similarly guarded after Everton beat Matthias Jaissle's side 1-0 at St James' Park on Monday in a Premier League fixture. Asked whether the attacking midfielder would be back for the visit of Frank Lampard's newly promoted team, Moyes said: "I don't know yet."
When questioned whether there was a chance of Grealish being reintegrated on a longer-term basis, the 63-year-old added: "Of course there is, yes."
Wing and full-back options under consideration
If Grealish returns to the starting line-up against opposition from his native West Midlands, he could replace Tyrique George on the left wing. The 20-year-old has impressed in his absence, and his shot on Monday proved too hot for Newcastle goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek, who allowed the ball to slip through his fingers for Thierno Barry to tap in the winner from close range.
George could move to the right wing, a position he occupied when scoring his only Everton goal against Manchester United, though Moyes has never started him there. Brennan Johnson and Tyler Dibling are also competing for a spot on the right, while Merlin Rohl could revert to right-back, offering a more progressive option at home than Jake O'Brien, who played there at St James' Park. Ainsley Maitland-Niles is another alternative in that position.
Midfield and defensive depth
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall appears to have secured the more advanced central midfield role, but competition remains strong behind him. Harrison Armstrong has started every Premier League match this season, while James Garner is the club's reigning Player of the Year. Hayden Hackney, who scored his first Everton goal in the 3-1 win over Newcastle, Christian Norgaard, and Charly Alcaraz are also in contention.
If O'Brien loses his place at right-back, he could move to centre-back, an area where Everton are well stocked. Captain James Tarkowski has been in strong form, as has Jarrad Branthwaite, who earned an England recall. The 24-year-old missed the trip to Arsenal and the first Newcastle match due to concussion protocol but started at St James' Park.
Branthwaite was replaced by Michael Keane after 77 minutes, with Moyes saying: "Jarrad went off, he was cramping in both legs. We don't think it's too serious but obviously he's been out for a couple of weeks. We're not nursing them back in and we'd have hoped he'd have got through, but he was struggling in the last 15 minutes."
