Everton’s defensive plans have taken a big hit this week as Jarrad Branthwaite has undergone surgery following a setback in his hamstring recovery. The 23-year-old centre-back, who hasn’t yet featured this season, now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines, leaving David Moyes with a major headache at the heart of his defence.<br /><br />Branthwaite’s injury problems stretch back to the end of last season. He missed the final games and was carefully left out of Everton’s summer tour to the United States as a precaution.
