Jack Grealish has been dropped for Everton’s Carabao Cup tie with Newcastle.
Grealish was a surprise omission from David Moyes’ matchday squad for Thursday’s all-Premier League fourth round clash at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The England international had featured six times in all competitions this term since returning for a second season-long loan spell from Manchester City.
But the Blues confirmed ahead of kick-off that Grealish has been stood down for what they have described simply as ‘a breach of club discipline.
“Jarrad Branthwaite remains sidelined for a second successive game due to concussion protocols, while Jack Grealish is unavailable for selection due to a breach of club discipline”, read a post on the club’s official X account.
It is understood that an unauthorised absence from training is the reason behind the 31-year-old’s suspension from playing duty against the Magpies.
He had previously missed last weekend’s 2-0 defeat to Premier League champions through illness unrelated to Monday’s Finch Farm no-show.
Grealish produced two goals and six assists during a first stint with Everton before a foot injury sustained in January curtailed his time on Merseyside.
He chose to remain with the club despite the option of returning to the Etihad Stadium for treatment with his rehabilitation period spent at Finch Farm.
However the winger returned for the start of the new campaign after becoming a popular figure among supporters in his initial loan spell.