Mystery surrounds Grealish after Moyes gives blunt response to Everton axing

David Moyes refused to explain why Jack Grealish was dropped from Everton's squad for their match against Newcastle on Thursday night.

Grealish was conspicuous by his absence for their Carabao Cup tie, with the club stating he was "unavailable for selection due to a breach of club discipline.”

The 31-year-old was not part of the squad which was beaten 2-0 away at Arsenal on Saturday due to illness. It is understood that the on-loan Manchester City winger then missed a training session in between the Premier League match and the Carabao Cup fourth-round tie.

But there remains some mystery around the situation after Moyes opted to stay tight-lipped following the 3-1 win on Thursday night. “I’m not going to give any details and it’s a club decision and I support the decision," the Everton boss said. “I don’t want to go into details.”

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Asked if he felt let down by Grealish, who he has championed since his arrival on loan from City last season, Moyes said: “It is something I don’t want to speak too much about.”

The Everton manager was then asked whether Grealish would be involved in the trip to St James' Park to play Newcastle in the league on Monday night. "I wouldn't give any team news away," he replied.

Goals from James Garner, Hayden Hackney and Thierno Barry had Everton cruising into the next round of the cup before Dan Burn scored a late consolation for the Magpies. Moyes' words on the performance appeared to hint at the Grealish situation.

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“The one thing about Everton is that they have got real good values, all the players stand behind it and accept the values, on the pitch and off the pitch," he said. "I think the players did a good job tonight, it is a small squad but we are doing our best to keep challenging."

Grealish, who is in the final year of his £300,000-a-week City contract, is in his second successive loan spell with Everton. He has made eight appearances in all competitions this season without registering a goal or an assist.

Last season he contributed two goals and six assists in 22 games for the Toffees and Moyes recently outlined his expectation for the winger.

“I think Jack knows what I expect now," he said. "We had lots of conversations last year. He knows when he comes here there is an opportunity for him to play and to show what he can do.

“But I also want him to be a senior professional and a role model. We’ve got Tyrique and Tyler and if ever you are looking at somebody for how to play as a wide player, Jack Grealish would certainly be one of them. I think both of them could learn an awful lot from Jack and I want him to become that senior citizen amongst them, somebody who teaches them.

“I think we’ve got a mature Jack Grealish now as well in terms of understanding the game and what is required, being a team player – not that he is an individual but he plays with an individual style.”