Hammers clash too soon for defender

DAVID MOYES has expressed his disappointment over Jarrad Branthwaite's injury situation after Everton lost the Mersey derby and were knocked out of the Carabao Cup before their most valuable asset has even kicked a ball this season.

- 

Branthwaite missed the Blues’ trip to the USA for the Premier League Summer Series after picking up a knock in a friendly at Blackburn Rovers.

But having worked his way back to fitness and played in the 1-0 defeat to Roma, he suffered from a hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined since.