Jack Grealish has been left out of Everton's Carabao Cup victory over Newcastle United following a breach of club discipline, raising fresh questions about his future at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
David Moyes confirmed that the decision was taken by the club, although he declined to explain the circumstances behind the incident. The winger, who is on loan from Manchester City, is understood to have missed a training session without permission.
Everton showed little sign of being distracted by the situation, securing a 3-1 victory to book their place in the quarter-finals, where they will face League Two side Fleetwood Town. However, Grealish's absence has brought an unwelcome issue into focus for Moyes.
Why Jack Grealish was dropped by Everton
Moyes was reluctant to discuss the details of the disciplinary matter after Thursday's match, making it clear that the club preferred to keep the situation private.
"You probably know I'm not going to give any details," the Everton manager said. "It's a club decision; it's something I don't want to speak too much about."
The 31-year-old is reportedly facing a fine after missing training at Everton's Finch Farm complex on Monday without authorisation. He had already missed the previous weekend's 2-0 defeat against Arsenal because of illness before returning to training.
Asked whether Grealish would be available for Monday's Premier League meeting with Newcastle, Moyes offered no indication of his plans.
"I wouldn't give any team news away," he added.
The manager nevertheless made it clear that he stood behind the club's decision while praising the players who stepped in against Newcastle for maintaining their focus.
Grealish's Everton loan spell and return to form
Grealish's relationship with Everton had appeared to be developing positively before the latest incident. During his previous loan spell, he scored twice and registered six assists in 20 appearances, quickly establishing himself as a popular figure among supporters.
His performances at the beginning of last season were particularly impressive, earning him the Premier League Player of the Month award for August. However, a serious foot injury in January brought his campaign to an early conclusion.
The winger returned to Manchester City, where he had limited opportunities under Pep Guardiola during the Spaniard's final season in charge. He featured as a substitute in City's 3-0 Community Shield defeat against Arsenal in August and also came off the bench in a 2-1 victory over Bournemouth on the opening weekend of the Premier League campaign.
Grealish subsequently completed another season-long loan move to Everton before the transfer window closed. He has made five Premier League appearances this season and also featured in the Carabao Cup victory over Wolves.
Everton chief executive Angus Kinnear previously indicated that the club would be interested in discussing a longer-term arrangement, although the player's contractual situation remains complicated.
"He is a player who has fallen in love with the right shade of blue, but ultimately he is a City player, and we have to respect that," Kinnear told BBC Radio Merseyside in August.
What next for Jack Grealish at Everton?
Grealish is approaching the final year of his reported £300,000-a-week contract with Manchester City, having cost the club £100m when he arrived from Aston Villa in 2021.
His impressive performances during his first spell at Everton had given the impression that he could rebuild his career on Merseyside. Moyes had previously spoken openly about how much the winger was loved within the club, while supporters quickly embraced him as one of their own.
Kinnear also highlighted the importance of Grealish recovering from his serious injury, expressing satisfaction at seeing him return to action in the Community Shield. The latest disciplinary issue, however, has complicated what had looked like a promising situation.
Everton's squad is already relatively thin following a disappointing summer transfer window, leaving Moyes dependent on his senior players to contribute consistently. Against that backdrop, losing the services of an experienced international would be an additional setback.
Grealish has earned 39 caps for England and scored four international goals but has not represented his country since finding the net in a 3-1 Nations League victory over Finland in Helsinki in 2024.
Moyes praises Everton's discipline after Newcastle's win
Although Grealish's absence attracted considerable attention, Everton demonstrated that they could deliver an important result without him. Their victory over Newcastle secured a place in the last eight of the competition, keeping alive their hopes of winning their first major trophy since 1995.
Moyes was particularly pleased with how his squad handled the situation, suggesting that the players' response reflected the standards expected at the club.
"The one thing about Everton is that it has got good values behind it," he said. "All the players stand up to the values on pitch and off the pitch."
The manager also praised the team's performance, acknowledging the limitations within his squad while insisting that Everton would continue to compete.
"The players did a brilliant job tonight. We are limited in some areas, but we are doing our best to keep challenging."
For Grealish, the immediate priority will be resolving the disciplinary issue and returning to the manager's plans. Whether the incident proves to be a temporary setback or marks a turning point in his Everton career remains to be seen.