Overview

• Everton confirmed a complication in Branthwaite’s hamstring recovery and scheduled surgery for Tuesday.
• The defender had rejoined training last week with club photos released before he reported fresh discomfort.
• He has yet to play this season after injuring the hamstring at the end of last campaign and aggravating it in pre-season.
• Reporting indicates the layoff is expected to be lengthy, potentially stretching to months.
• Branthwaite signed a five-year deal in July and is seen by David Moyes as central to Everton’s plans, with James Tarkowski’s successful April hamstring operation cited as a recent precedent.