Centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite is closing in on an Everton comeback as the Merseyside club continue their preparations for the up-and-coming trip to Leeds United. An unspecified injury ruled Branthwaite out of the Toffees' pre-season tour of America.

David Moyes admits he has been disappointed with both Beto and James Garner during Everton ’s pre-season, as he reveals an injury concern ahead of the new campaign. It has been a difficult summer for the Toffees in what should be an exciting time for the club as they move into their new stadium under new ownership.

It was impossible not to see Moyes in animated conversation with Tomas Soucek, someone he knows so well from his time at West Ham, at Chicago's Soldier Field last Wednesday, and think that is exactly the kind of player Everton need; solid, experienced, dependable.