MusaJack Grealish was left out of Everton’s Carabao Cup squad to face Newcastle United following a reported breach of club discipline. The Toffees welcomed their Premier League rivals to Hill Dickinson Stadium for their fourth-round encounter, but the Manchester City loanee was notably absent from the matchday squad.
The fixture had presented Grealish with an opportunity to gain valuable minutes and improve his match fitness after spending a significant portion of last season on the sidelines through injury. However, Everton confirmed that his absence had nothing to do with a fitness problem.
In a statement released on Thursday ahead of the Newcastle clash, the Merseyside club explained: “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.”
Everton have not publicly revealed the precise circumstances surrounding the disciplinary issue. However, according to the Liverpool Echo, Grealish failed to attend a training session after missing Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League defeat against Arsenal because of illness.
The incident comes just weeks after David Moyes made it clear that he expected the 31-year-old winger to demonstrate greater leadership and professionalism during his time at Goodison Park’s successor, Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The Everton manager had previously spoken about the responsibility Grealish carries within the squad, particularly when it comes to setting an example for the club’s younger players.
“I think Jack knows what I expect now. 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.”
Moyes also expressed confidence in Grealish’s ability to handle the pressure of expectations, insisting that the winger possesses the personality and experience needed to thrive under scrutiny.
“If there is one person who would be able to carry that [pressure] it would be Jack, just because of the way he is. He will find it easy to carry expectation and he’ll be happy to do so. That’s his character.
“I do think that is the case [that there is more expectation in the second season] because everybody wants Jack to get back to where he was. His first three months for us last season were hugely important in getting us wins, so now it is about getting him right to perform at that level again.
“He’s had six-and-a-half months out. He’s had no pre-season games, he came on for 15 minutes in the Community Shield, so he’s had no real football and I think Jack is someone who thrives on the football. He gets himself fit through the games more so than the training. We need to be careful and see how he goes but he’s looking good.”
Grealish faces fresh setback at Everton
Grealish enjoyed an encouraging loan spell at Everton last season, quickly becoming an influential figure before an injury brought his campaign to an early conclusion.
His performances convinced the club to bring him back to Merseyside for another spell this summer, giving him an opportunity to rebuild his form and rediscover the consistency that made him one of the Premier League’s most exciting attacking players.
However, despite making six appearances since returning, the England international is still waiting to register a goal or assist.
His latest disciplinary setback represents another complication in his efforts to regain momentum at Everton. Having missed a significant period through injury last season, Grealish needs regular playing time to recover his sharpness and make a sustained contribution to Moyes’ side.
With the manager having publicly highlighted the importance of leadership and professionalism, the winger will now be expected to respond positively and demonstrate that he remains fully committed to the club’s objectives.
Everton have yet to disclose whether any further disciplinary action will follow, leaving questions over when Grealish will return to contention and resume his efforts to make an impact on Merseyside.
Musa
