Jarrad Branthwaite is set to return for Everton’s match against Fulham in the Premier League this weekend after overcoming a quad injury.

The towering centre-back, who underwent minor surgery last summer due to a groin problem, has played just once this season. After making the only appearance of the campaign so far against Crystal Palace last month, he suffered a quad problem in training and missed the games against Newcastle United and Ipswich Town.

Everton wanted to carefully manage Branthwaite’s latest return to full fitness. Earlier this month, manager Sean Dyche suggested the England international may have been recalled too early, with his subsequent omission for the 2-0 win at Ipswich being more of a precaution.

In his absence, fellow defender Michael Keane impressed at Portman Road, scoring Everton’s second goal in a routine win. But with Branthwaite, 22, fit to return, Dyche has a decision to make in central defense.

“Jarrad has been training all week,” Dyche said. “I called on it last week because it was important for him to have a clear training week. He has done that and will certainly be part of the team.

“We have four very good central defenders who are all fighting for the shirt. That will take care of itself.”

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On-loan winger Jesper Lindstrom will also return after missing the Ipswich match due to illness, but James Garner, Armando Broja, Tim Iroegbunam and Youssef Chermiti remain on the sidelines.

Garner has seen a specialist due to a back problem as Everton await news on his injury. The former Manchester United midfielder was ruled out between November 2022 and April 2023 due to a similar problem.

Broja, meanwhile, is nearing a return to full training after an Achilles injury. The next step for the on-loan Chelsea forward is likely to include minutes for the club’s under-21 side, but Dyche said this is still “a few weeks away”.

In the meantime, Chermiti and Iroegbunam will also remain on the sidelines for the time being.

“We are looking at weeks (for Iroegbunam) because of the type of injury it is: a bone injury,” Dyche said. “We just have to wait until it’s resolved. He is in a (protective) boot. So it will still take a few weeks.

“Chermiti is making progress, but it is a very strange injury: the tendon comes from the big toe. He’s starting to make progress, but it will take a few more weeks.”

Dele Alli continues to train at Everton’s Finch Farm complex as he tries to overcome his long-term injury problems.

After a minor setback in his recovery earlier this month, the midfielder is back in light training and hoping to earn a new contract as his old deal expired at the end of last season.

Everton are sixteenth in the rankings and are unbeaten in four games.

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