Moyes won't say how long Jarrad will be out

DAVID MOYES has confirmed Jarrad Branthwaite has suffered an injury and will miss the start of Everton's season.

- By CONNOR O'NEILL

The defender picked up the knock in training as the Blues continued preparations for the new campaign.

They kick off their season away to Leeds United on Monday night, but they will make the trip without the centre-back.

And although Moyes would not elaborate on how long Branthwaite will be out for, he did express frustration the news had been leaked earlier this week.

He said: “Jarrad picked up an injury in training so unfortunately we are going to miss him. These things happen.”

Asked how long Branthwaite will be out for, Moyes replied: “No and I wouldn't give it anyway, but I'm sure the insider inside the club will give that out, I'm sure of that.

“We have got to find out who is giving the news out.”

He continued: "I'm unhappy [with the news being leaked out]. All managers don't like it. It is certainly coming from within our building and it is up to us to find out and we will do.”

Vitalii Mykolenko was taken off during last weekend's defeat to Roma, while Nathan Patterson and Harrison Armstrong all missed the game.

Asked if the trio could be available against Leeds, Moyes said: “We may have.”