Everton boss David Moyes welcomes back Kiernan Dewsbury Hall for this weekend’s trip to Manchester City after the midfielder missed last week’s game against Crystal Palace through suspension, writes Cole Osman at Finch Farm.
The former Chelsea and Leicester City player set a new Premier League record after being suspended for picking up five yellow cards in the first six games of the season.
Dewsbury Hall picked up yellows against Brighton, Aston Villa, Wolves, West Ham and Liverpool resulting in the one match ban.
Moyes believes that two of the bookings in particular were “ridiculous” after Dewsbury Hall was booked for taking a quick free kick against Liverpool and a tackle against West Ham where he appeared to win the ball.
Said Moyes: “We have got a key man in Kieran back after two ridiculous bookings got him suspended. Fortunately we were still able to get the win against Palace at the weekend.”
Meanwhile Everton and England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has extended his contract at the club keeping him at the Toffees until the end of 2029.
This is likely see Pickford amass the most Premier League appearances for an Everton goalkeeper. He is currently 54 games away from the current holder Tim Howard, on 300 appearances.
Moyes said: “Jordan’s the best goalkeeper in England or somebody else would be playing instead of him. I think his clean sheet numbers over the years have been fantastic. So, good credit to him.”
Moyes first worked with Pickford during his time as Sunderland manager and was instrumental in him signing for Everton.
Moyes recalls: “At that time, I was still close with Bill Kenwright and a lot of people at Everton. When I left Sunderland he’d asked me about the people there. I said the goalkeeper was an outstanding young keeper.”
Everton will have to face Man City this weekend without on loan star player Jack Grealish as he is unable to play against his parent club.
Moyes said: “Jack will be a miss for us because he’s played so well. But we knew that we would play Manchester City and he’s come from there, so this wasn’t something that wasn’t expected. So, yeah we’ll rejig and get ready to go against Man City.”
Meanwhile Moyes also eyes up new squad options as Jared Branthwaite and Merlin Rohl are back training with the first team, although Nathan Patterson picked up another injury during an under 21s game midweek.
Moyes said: “We have got a few people, you know, get Jared back on the grass. We’ll get Merlin back on the grass now they’re getting fitter.”
