Everton boss David Moyes held his pre-match press conference at Finch Farm on Tuesday, reflecting on a narrow defeat to league leaders Arsenal and looking forward to the clash against Burnley on Saturday.
Moyes confirmed that the squad is in a similar state to last weekend, with no fresh injury concerns to report.
However, the most significant update involved Jarrad Branthwaite. While the defender remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, Moyes revealed that he is getting closer to returning to the grass.
The manager is hopeful that Branthwaite could be back in the matchday squad by the end of the month, though he cautioned that a full return to the starting lineup might take slightly longer given how much of the season he has missed.
The absence of Branthwaite has been felt in the heart of the Everton defense, and Moyes emphasized the importance of having his physical presence back in the squad.
In addition to injuries, Everton are also managing the loss of Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye, who have both joined up with the Senegal national team for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Moyes admitted that the mid-season tournament is a challenge for many Premier League clubs, but he pointed to his years of experience in managing busy festive schedules as a reason for optimism.
The Toffees will look to rely on their collective spirit and the return of Merlin Röhl, who made a successful comeback off the bench against Arsenal.
Everton currently sit in the middle of a tightly packed table, and the trip to east Lancashire represents an opportunity to get back to winning ways.
Moyes spoke about the need for numbers in the squad during this period and expressed his desire to see Branthwaite even just back on the bench to provide more options.
The manager also highlighted the return of senior players like Seamus Coleman as vital for the group’s morale.
As the club navigates the final games of the year, Moyes is focusing on tactical consistency and the gradual integration of his recovering stars to ensure Everton remain clear of the relegation scrap.