Jack Grealish Everton return unclear as David Moyes speaks out on his future | Football

When Jack Grealish will return to the Everton squad remains unclear as manager David Moyes hinted it was not just a lack of match fitness that left him unavailable against Newcastle on Monday night.

The England international has missed Everton’s last three games as he sat out a Premier League clash with Arsenal through illness and then was left out of a Carabao Cup meeting with Newcastle after a breach of club discipline.

That breach is believed to be an unauthorised absence from training, for which he was punished as he was not involved in the 3-1 win on October 29.

The Toffees faced the Magpies again on Monday, this time in the Premier League, with Grealish absent but this time the club said it was a fitness issue.

An Everton statement read on Monday: ‘Jack Grealish is not match fit and therefore not part of tonight’s squad.’

A Thierno Barry goal meant Everton made it two wins over Newcastle in Grealish’s absence as they climbed to seventh in the Premier League table.

Moyes was asked about the situation with the 31-year-old and he seemed to suggest that he was not just unavailable due to match fitness, as the club had stated.

‘He’s unavailable at the moment and we’ll make a decision with the club when we think that availability comes back,’ said the Scot.

Asked if his unavailability was due to lacking match fitness, Moyes said: ‘All I’m giving out is he’s unavailable at the moment.’

On whether the issue of ill-discipline is now over and done with and if he could comment on the matter, the manager said: ‘No, I can’t comment on that.’

Moyes was giving little away as he said he didn’t yet know whether Grealish would be available when Everton host Coventry City in the Premier League on Friday night.

However, he was clear when asked of the possibility of a return at some stage and a future for the winger at the club, saying: ‘Of course there is, yes.’

Grealish has made five Premier League appearances for Everton this season after returning for a second spell on loan from Manchester City.

After two substitute appearances he started the games against Ipswich Town, Hull City and Chelsea before his ongoing absence began.

Reportedly Everton’s highest-paid player, he has not found form yet this campaign, yet to register a goal or an assist.

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