‘Shouldn’t be’ – Why Jack Grealish is only on bench for Everton clash with Nottingham Forest

Jack Grealish was back in the Everton matchday squad to face Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.

However, Toffees boss David Moyes revealed that Grealish ‘shouldn’t be’ due to illness.

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The on-loan Man City man was a surprising absentee for their December 27 clash against Burnley.

Grealish had played in 16 of their 17 Premier League games ahead of the Burnley match, starting in 15 of those appearances.

Why did Grealish miss the Burnley game?

Moyes explained: “He’s just got a bit of a virus and not been well over Christmas time, so he’s not available today.”

Everton went on to draw that game 0-0, but the matches come thick and fast over the festive period.

Just three days later they were back in action at the City Ground against Nottingham Forest.

Why was Grealish only on the bench?

The 30-year-old returned to the bench for that game against Forest, but Moyes admitted he probably shouldn’t be.

The winger is still struggling with illness.

Before kick-off, Moyes said: “We don’t have a lot to make changes and we’ve only got Jack Grealish back on the bench. He shouldn’t be, he’s still ill, but if we need him for a small period then we might need to use him, but if I had my way he wouldn’t be on the bench at all.”

Other Everton players out

Michael Keane and Carlos Alcaraz were both missing for the Forest clash to add to Everton’s growing list of absentees.

Moyes added: “I’m not going to tell you what the injuries are, but obviously they’re both missing the game, so we’re disappointed because it adds to quite a big number at the moment [of players we have out].”

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Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye have linked up with Senegal in Morocco, taking part in their second game of the tournament on Saturday at the same time as the Turf Moor clash.

Moyes addressed the major losses in his squad ahead of the game, saying: “Obviously, we’re missing players away at the AFCON and we’ve got a couple of injuries as well.

“But it’s no different to any other team.”

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