Jack Grealish has issued a public apology for the conduct that led to him being left out of Everton's last three Premier League fixtures. He was omitted from the club's 3-1 League Cup win over Newcastle United, the following Premier League match against the Toon, which Everton won 1-0, and the 3-1 victory over Coventry City at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. The club cited a "breach of club discipline" and insufficient fitness as reasons for his absence, and he had also missed the 2-0 away defeat to Arsenal through illness.

Grealish has since been welcomed back into the squad, and Everton gave him minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Derby County, where he played the full 90 minutes in a 4-1 win. Everton confirmed his omission from one match with a blunt statement on social media, saying he was "not match fit and therefore not part of tonight's squad". Manager David Moyes declined to give details, saying it was a club decision he did not want to discuss at length.S1S2

Grealish then apologised via an Instagram story, saying he wanted to apologise to fans and everyone at the club for not being able to help the team in recent weeks, and that he loved playing for the club. Liverpool Echo reported that he had returned to training at Finch Farm to complete a tailored programme before the Derby game, and it is now possible he will be involved again after the international break.S1S2

Everton travel to Brentford on Monday, November 23, before hosting Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby on November 29. Grealish will also hope to be available when the Toffees visit his former club Aston Villa on December 2. He is on loan from Manchester City for the rest of the season, after which his City contract expires.S2