Jack Grealish will be unavailable for Everton’s Carabao Cup round‑of‑16 clash with Newcastle United, the club announced on Thursday. The 31‑year‑old winger, who is on loan from Manchester City for his second season at Goodison Park, was omitted from the 20‑man squad after what the club described as a “breach of club discipline.” Everton did not disclose the exact nature of the infraction, but several reports suggest it stemmed from an unauthorised absence from training.
Grealish’s exclusion follows a brief layoff that saw him miss the 2‑0 defeat to Arsenal in the Premier League, a match the club attributed to illness. He had been a regular in the first team, starting the last three league games before the Arsenal fixture. In those outings, he was joined on the flanks by Tyrique George and Brennan Johnson, with Tyler Dibling stepping in for Johnson in the lineup for the Newcastle match. The Toffees have yet to register a goal or an assist from Grealish in his seven appearances this season, although he contributed six assists and two goals in 20 games last season before a foot injury ended his campaign.
Everton’s decision comes as the club prepares to face Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, with the winner advancing to a quarter‑final against Fleetwood Town. The fourth‑tier side stunned the Premier League champions Arsenal in the fourth round, setting up an intriguing matchup for the Toffees. Grealish’s absence will be felt on the wing, but the squad will rely on its remaining options to secure a victory and progress.
The loan deal that brought Grealish back to Everton began on September 1, after he spent the first half of the season with Manchester City. He had been part of Enzo Maresca’s squad at the Etihad, featuring as a substitute in the 3‑0 Community Shield defeat to Arsenal and the 2‑1 Premier League win over Bournemouth. His return to Goodison Park was seen as a chance to regain match fitness following his rehabilitation period at the club that had taken him through a season‑ending foot injury.
With the Carabao Cup match looming, Everton’s coaching staff will need to adjust their tactical setup without Grealish. The club’s focus will be on maintaining discipline and ensuring the squad remains cohesive as they aim to advance to the next round and potentially face Fleetwood Town. The outcome of the Newcastle game will determine whether Everton can build on their cup run and secure a spot in the quarter‑finals.