91Èȱ¬

Everton manager Sean Dyche is hoping Jarrad Branthwaite will be fit for the start of the new season, with the defender an injury doubt going into the new campaign.

The Toffees boss said after last Saturday's friendly defeat at Salford that the centre-half had undergone a "minor operation", but did not reveal details about the procedure.

The 22-year-old, who has been the subject of two rejected bids from Manchester United, has not featured in any of the pre-season games so far.

Asked by 91Èȱ¬ Sport if Branthwaite will be fit for the opener against Brighton on 17 August, Dyche replied: "We will see.

"He is making good progress all of a sudden, he had a slow spell but is beginning to move forward.

"Hopefully he will certainly be in and around it, I am not saying he will definitely be fit but he will certainly be in and around it, we hope."

Everton have been busy in the transfer market this summer, signing five players for an outlay of around £42m, while recouping approximately £70m by selling the likes of Amadou Onana, Lewis Dobbin and Ben Godfrey.

The acquisitions include midfielder Tim Ireogbunam, who is 21-years-old, defender Jake O'Brien (23) and forwards Iliman Ndiaye and Jesper Lindstrom, both 24.

"People have got to remember they are young players who mostly haven't experience the Premier League," said Dyche after his side's 3-0 friendly win at Preston on Saturday.

"There is a demand of them to hit the ground running somewhat but the bigger model of the club, getting good money for Onana and trying to spread that money through certain deals and one we can effect such as loans.

"We look at that and we go: 'OK, there are good signs' but it's still only signs. These are players who haven't played in the Premier League - trust me, it's a whole different demand when the real stuff starts.

"But we believe they have all got that in their locker to understand what it is and learn quickly."