Everton made Jack Grealish unavailable for the Carabao Cup fourth-round tie against Newcastle at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Thursday night because of a breach of club discipline. The Everton vs Newcastle cup tie was played without the midfielder, who is on loan from Manchester City, after he reportedly missed a training session in the build-up.
Grealish dropped by Everton for the Newcastle tie
The club confirmed the midfielder was not available for selection. Grealish had sat out Saturday's defeat at Arsenal through illness, but he had started Everton's three previous Premier League matches against Ipswich, Hull City and Chelsea.
Sky Sports News reporter Keith Downie set out the reason for the absence before kick-off. "My understanding is the reason he's not involved, and the reason he has been disciplined, is because he failed to show for a training session in the build-up to tonight's cup tie," he said.
The distinction matters for Everton. Illness explained the Arsenal absence; this one is a club decision, taken by the manager rather than the medical staff, and it removes a regular starter from a cup fixture.
David Moyes and the discipline call
David Moyes dropped Grealish from the squad for the tie, with the club framing the matter as a disciplinary breach rather than a fitness issue. Everton did not elaborate on the length of the measure or whether further sanction follows.
Grealish is at Everton on loan from Manchester City, which means his club's internal disciplinary process governs his availability for now. Everton's statement gave no timetable for a return.
Jarrad Branthwaite stays out under concussion protocols
Grealish was not the only absentee. Jarrad Branthwaite remained unavailable for a second successive game as he continues to follow concussion protocols, leaving Moyes without a regular defensive option as well as the loanee midfielder.
What comes next for Everton
The source report does not state how long Grealish will be unavailable, so his involvement in Everton's next Premier League fixture is unresolved. The cup tie itself was carried live on Sky Sports+, and no scoreline is given in the report above.
The original report is by skysports.com.
