Everton manager David Moyes confirmed that Jack Grealish was omitted from the squad for the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Newcastle United due to a "breach of club discipline." The club did not disclose specifics, but the decision is understood to stem from an unauthorised absence from training. Everton won the match 3-1 at Hill Dickinson Stadium, advancing to a quarter-final against League Two side Fleetwood Town.
Moyes supports club decision
"It's a club decision, it's something I don't want to speak too much about," Moyes said after the victory. He made clear he backed the decision to leave out the 31-year-old England winger, who is on a season-long loan from Manchester City. Asked whether Grealish would return for the Premier League fixture at Newcastle on Monday, Moyes declined to provide team news.
Grealish's season so far
Grealish has featured six times for Everton this season — five appearances in the Premier League and one in the EFL Cup third-round win over Wolves. He missed the previous league match, a 2-0 defeat at Arsenal, due to illness, and subsequently missed a training session without permission. He has since returned to training at Finch Farm and is expected to be fined.
Contract and career context
The former Aston Villa player is in the final year of a reported £300,000-a-week contract at Manchester City, where he fell out of favour under Pep Guardiola. Grealish spent much of last season on loan at Everton, scoring twice and providing six assists in 20 appearances before a season-ending foot injury in January. His form early last season earned him the Premier League player-of-the-month award for August. He has 39 England caps and four goals, last playing for the national team in a Nations League win over Finland in 2024.
Future at Everton uncertain
Everton chief executive Angus Kinnear previously spoke of a "longer term conversation" with Grealish, but the disciplinary issue raises questions about his future at the club. Moyes praised the players for not allowing the situation to distract them in an important cup tie, emphasising the club's values on and off the pitch. Everton, who have not won a major trophy since 1995, now prepare for a quarter-final against Fleetwood Town.
