David Moyes has admitted it is a “big blow” that Jack Grealish suffered a broken foot that could rule him out for the rest of the season.
The 30-year-old, who is on loan from Manchester City to Everton FC for a season, suffered a stress fracture in his foot against his old club Aston Villa.
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Grealish, who has scored two goals and provided six assists in 20 Premier League games, played the full 90 minutes in Everton’s 1-0 win at Villa Park last weekend.
However, the England star was sent to a specialist on Monday, with The Pitch Prospect revealing he was diagnosed with a stress fracture.
It is a hammer blow for Everton, whose loan deal with Man City included a £50m option to buy, and for Grealish himself.
The 39-time Three Lions international had pushed late before the World Cup for England to be named to Thomas Tuchel’s squad.
Moyes is unsure about Grealish’s return
“It’s not my job to give the time frame and we haven’t received it from the doctors yet,” Moyes told a press conference on Friday.
“He has a stress fracture in his foot, that’s all I can tell you.
“This is a big blow because he has been hugely important for us since the start of the season, he has played a big role in the team.
“Look, we’ve had a few injuries, but this is a big blow for us.
“We are in close contact with Manchester City so we will see how that works over time and as we get further decisions from the specialists.”
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Grealish’s injury ‘complements Everton’s mindset’
On the positive side, the Toffees have tied down James Garner to a long-term contract and their absence list has otherwise been reduced.
Jarrad Branthwaite, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Carlos Alcaraz have all returned to training, but Michael Keane remains suspended.
Both Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye returned from their victorious AFCON win with Senegal on Friday, but Grealish’s absence remains a huge blow.
“It will add to our thinking (in the window), that’s for sure,” Moyes added on whether Everton will now look to sign a new winger.
“Getting them is a different story, but it will enrich our thinking to see if there is anything out there that we could do or consider.”
Asked whether Grealish’s injury will also impact the chances of Everton making his transfer permanent in the summer, Moyes said: “We’re not thinking about it at the moment.”
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“All we’re thinking about is Jack. We’re upset and disappointed for him that he has an injury.”
Grealish, who was left out of Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad, returned to England under interim coach Lee Carsley.
His last international appearance for the Three Lions was a 3-1 win against Finland in 2024, with Tuchel insisting in October that “the door remained open”.