The centre back was absent at Portman Road as a precaution as Everton attempt to give him time to recover from his quad issue
Jarrad Branthwaite missed Everton’s trip to Ipswich Town as a precaution. Sean Dyche said the centre back had only resumed training after a quad injury on Thursday and, while there was a belief he could have featured at Portman Road, the decision not to risk him was taken.
The Blues boss added that Michael Keane, who scored in the 2-0 win, had also deserved to stay in the team due to his recent form.
He said: “He [Keane] deserved to stay in the team I thought and I kept him in. Jarrad is close to being fit and possibly could have played but I feel he needs another week’s training to make sure his body is right. But I though Keano delivered a very good performance today. It was an excellent goal but he is a very good finisher.”
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Branthwaite returned last month to feature in the win over Crystal Palace – his first appearance after months out following surgery on a groin issue. He suffered his quad complaint in the aftermath, leading to heightened caution about bringing him back into the team.
Dyche said: “I made a bit of a call on that. He was chomping at the bit but the last game we put him in I felt maybe was a bit quick. He was fine for the game and did very well but got injured the next week so I thought, as he only trained on Thursday and Friday, we have got to be careful here. So we left it so he could do work at the training ground and then continue to have a full week of training next week and then hopefully his body is more ready for when he is needed.”
