Jack Grealish faces a test of character at Everton after a breach of club discipline ruled him out of a Carabao Cup tie against Newcastle United last month, with manager David Moyes now expecting the winger to prove his commitment on the pitch.
Everton won that match 3-1, securing a quarter-final against Fleetwood Town and starting a run of three wins in eight days for Moyes' side. But hours before kick-off at Hill Dickinson Stadium, the club confirmed Grealish was unavailable due to the breach, a decision that surprised supporters given the ease of citing injury or illness.
Club's transparency praised
The club's openness about Grealish's absence was applauded, but it forced Moyes to field repeated questions about the situation before and after games. Moyes has been a staunch defender of the 31-year-old since welcoming him to the club, helping him rediscover his love for football and defending him in April when he was pictured asleep at a rooftop bar in Manchester after a night out.
Grealish apologised on Thursday night after returning to action in a 4-1 behind-closed-doors victory over Derby County. The apology was encouraging, but he still has work to do to fully rebuild trust with Moyes, his team-mates and supporters.
Return to competitive action
Grealish joined Everton on a second loan from Manchester City on deadline day, with optimism high after his previous stint showed his personality, creativity and ability to make things happen. The friendly appearance against Derby and his apology are positive steps, but the real test comes when Everton face Brentford a week on Monday.
Everton need what Grealish offers, especially with Moyes having only 18 senior players to choose from. The squad's resilience was shown by winning all three games ahead of the international break, with players like Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall stepping up in Grealish's absence.
Supporters want to see Grealish back in action and understand the standards expected of him. The next chapter of his Everton career is unwritten, and he now has the chance to make headlines for the right reasons as actions speak louder than words.
