Sources: Everton to respond to injury by lining up new signing, it's a 'top priority' for them

Everton are set to respond to Jarrad Branthwaite’s injury by adding a new right-back to their squad for the start of pre-season, sources have told Football Insider.

The Toffees believe that they have enough centre-back cover within their camp already, while the addition of a new option on the right side of the backline remains a “top priority” for them.

The plan is for a new starting option to join the squad at right-back, with sources indicating that Jake O’Brien will move back into the centre of defence to provide cover if Branthwaite’s injury lay-off stretches into next season.

David Moyes also has James Tarkowski and Michael Keane as options at the heart of the rearguard, with both enjoying strong campaigns this term.

Everton’s transfer plans had always seen them place a new right-back towards the top of their list of priorities, and their need to address that position has only increased in the wake of Branthwaite’s latest setback.

How long will Jarrad Branthwaite miss for Everton?

Branthwaite has been a key figure for Everton in recent years, but they have been forced to live without his calming presence at the back for much of the campaign.

The 23-year-old seemingly has a very promising career ahead of him at the top end of the Premier League, but he has been plagued by consistent injury problems since the beginning of the season.

His latest issue has been described as a “significant hamstring injury” by The Bobble on X, and it is expected that he will be out of action for the remainder of the season.

The former Carlisle United man is also set to see a specialist to determine the full extent of the injury and make a decision as to whether it is serious enough to require surgery.

Branthwaite’s recovery process looks set to go into the early weeks of the summer at a minimum, but Moyes and Co. will have huge concerns about him potentially breaking down again when he begins to return.

With that in mind, the Toffees will try to cover themselves by moving into the market once the window opens, to ensure they have enough options if Branthwaite’s issue proves to be more serious than first thought.

Everton have already settled on two other priority signings

Football Insider revealed last weekend that Everton will have a limited budget to spend in the market this summer, after adding several new faces to their squad last year.

The Hill Dickinson Stadium outfit have already laid down their priorities for the upcoming window, with a new centre-midfielder and a new striker identified as clear targets alongside the need for a right-back.

There is an acceptance among the club hierarchy that the budget limitations are likely to mean that loan-to-buy deals are more realistic than big fees being splashed out.

Everton could yet find themselves with European football to contend with next season, which would provide them with a valuable boost to their coffers for the summer.

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