Everton boss David Moyes says there is a way back for Jack Grealish at the club – but does not know when he will return to the team.
The former England midfielder missed both of the Toffees’ wins over Newcastle in the past week after a disciplinary issue.
The 31-year-old Manchester City loanee was left out of Thursday’s 3-1 victory in the Carabao Cup – a decision made by the club – after what was thought to be an unauthorised absence from training.
And again on Monday for their Premier League meeting – which Everton won 1-0 at St James’ Park with Thierno Barry scoring the only goal – Grealish was absent.
The Toffees said it was because of a lack of fitness – but Moyes was very coy at full-time.
“He’s unavailable at the moment and we will make a decision with the club when we think that availability comes back,” he told BBC Sport.
When asked whether it was indeed related to fitness, he added: “All I’m giving out is that he is unavailable at the moment.”
And when pressed over whether the disciplinary issue is over with, Moyes said: “No, I can’t comment on that.”