Everton manager David Moyes has backed the club's decision to leave Jack Grealish out of the squad for the Carabao Cup tie against Newcastle United, citing a breach of club discipline.
The on-loan Manchester City winger was absent from the 3-1 victory at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Everton confirming he was "unavailable for selection due to a breach of club discipline." The 31-year-old had already missed the Toffees' 2-0 defeat at Arsenal the previous Saturday through illness.
Moyes stays tight-lipped on details
It is believed the former £100m British transfer record signing then failed to attend a training session. A social media post from the club before the match read: "Jarrad Branthwaite remains sidelined for a second successive game due to concussion protocols, while Jack Grealish is unavailable for selection due to a breach of club discipline."
Moyes chose not to elaborate on the situation after Thursday's victory. "I'm not going to give any details and it's a club decision and I support the decision. I don't want to go into details," he said. When pressed on whether he felt disappointed by Grealish, he responded: "It is something I don't want to speak too much about."
Asked whether Grealish would feature in Monday night's league trip to St James' Park against Newcastle, Moyes said: "I wouldn't give any team news away."
Grealish's season so far
Goals from James Garner, Hayden Hackney and Thierno Barry put Everton into the next round before Dan Burn scored a late consolation for Newcastle. Moyes' comments about the display appeared to reference the Grealish situation. "The one thing about Everton is that they have got real good values, all the players stand behind it and accept the values, on the pitch and off the pitch," he said. "I think the players did a good job tonight, it is a small squad but we are doing our best to keep challenging."
Grealish, in the final year of his £300,000-a-week City contract, is serving his second consecutive loan spell at Everton. He has made eight appearances across all competitions this season without a goal or assist. Last term he contributed two goals and six assists in 22 outings for the Toffees.
Moyes outlines expectations
Moyes has recently made his expectations of the winger clear. "I think Jack knows what I expect now," he said. "We had lots of conversations last year. He knows when he comes here there is an opportunity for him to play and to show what he can do.
"But I also want him to be a senior professional and a role model. We've got Tyrique and Tyler and if ever you are looking at somebody for how to play as a wide player, Jack Grealish would certainly be one of them.
"I think both of them could learn an awful lot from Jack and I want him to become that senior citizen amongst them, somebody who teaches them. I think we've got a mature Jack Grealish now as well in terms of understanding the game and what is required, being a team player – not that he is an individual but he plays with an individual style."
