Jarrad Branthwaite has been pictured training with the Everton first-team ahead of the Toffees’ meeting with Liverpool on June 21. Yerry Mina has been ruled out of the Merseyside derby after tearing his thigh muscle and Carlo Ancelotti may be considering the 17-year-old as his replacement.
Lewis Gibson could be another option to provide cover at centre-back, but Everton would need ‘special dispensation’ to bring him back early from his loan at Fleetwood Town. Mason Holgate and Michael Keane are the only senior defenders at Ancelotti’s disposal, so the pair should start against Liverpool.
Branthwaite making the Blues’ matchday squad would be a big moment, as he was playing League Two football back in January. The 17-year-old left Carlisle United in the New Year and has gone on to make two appearances for Everton U23s, scoring one goal.
If Ancelotti wasn’t sure about calling on the teenager, Matthew Pennington is the other experienced centre-back on Everton’s books. He’s currently on loan at Hull City, however, and may see the season out at the KCOM Stadium rather than return to Goodison Park.
Everton’s meeting with Liverpool is two weeks away, but Branthwaite has an opportunity to capitalise on Mina’s injury and put himself in contention of making the squad – especially now the number of substitutes has been raised to nine.