Jack Grealish left out of Everton squad for Newcastle trip

Jack Grealish is not part of Everton’s squad for their Premier League trip to Newcastle. Everton made the trip to the north-east without the creative midfielder, who returned to the club this summer on a second lucrative loan from Manchester City. His absence follows his removal from the squad for last Thursday’s League Cup match, which Everton won against Matthias Jaissle’s team. The decision was made for disciplinary reasons.

Grealish is expected to miss a third consecutive game for Everton, according to reports. Before the cup tie, he had missed a training session without permission. He had also been absent from Everton’s previous Premier League match, a defeat by Arsenal, because of illness.

Arsenal lead the Premier League with 24 points after 9 matches, while Newcastle are 12th with 11 points after 8 matches, a gap of 13 points.

David Moyes said he supported the club’s decision but would not go into detail. « I will not give any details; it is a club decision and I support it. I do not want to say too much about the subject », the manager said. Everton described the measure as a sanction for a breach of its disciplinary rules.

Grealish has stayed on Merseyside to work on his fitness at Finch Farm. Earlier this week, Everton had also beaten Newcastle 3-1 in the League Cup, a match for which the player was left out as well.

Newcastle go into the league fixture 12th, with 11 points from eight matches. Their record stands at three wins, two draws and three defeats, with 12 goals scored and 14 conceded. In their last five Premier League games, they have won twice and lost three times. Arsenal, top of the table, are 13 points ahead of Newcastle.

The England international has played eight matches for Everton this season. His latest omission comes after the club left him out of two squads, while his manager has voiced support for the disciplinary decision.