Jack Grealish was left out of Everton’s 3-1 EFL Cup win over Newcastle United on Thursday after what manager David Moyes described as “a breach of club discipline”. The club has not provided further details, but the incident is understood to relate to an absence from training without permission.
Moyes said the decision was made by the club and declined to discuss the matter in detail after Everton reached the quarter-finals. He indicated that he supported the omission, while refusing to say whether Grealish would be available for Monday’s Premier League match against Newcastle.
The 31-year-old, who is on loan from Manchester City, has made five Premier League appearances for Everton this season and also played in their previous EFL Cup round against Wolves. He missed last Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Arsenal through illness. Reports say he later missed training without authorisation, returned to Everton’s Finch Farm complex and is expected to be fined.
Grealish spent much of last season on loan at Everton, scoring twice and providing six assists in 20 appearances before a foot injury ended his campaign in January. He had made a strong start, earning the Premier League’s player-of-the-month award for August, and Moyes had previously spoken warmly about his standing at the club.
Everton chief executive Angus Kinnear said in August that supporters and teammates had welcomed Grealish, adding that the club wanted to have a longer-term conversation with him. The winger remains a Manchester City player, with his reported contract at the club entering its final year.
Moyes praised Everton’s players for focusing on the cup tie despite Grealish’s absence. Everton will face League Two side Fleetwood Town in the quarter-finals.
Sources: BBC Sport.