Jack Grealish’s absence was the big talking point around Everton’s Carabao Cup win over Newcastle, and Jay Bothroyd reckons David Moyes’ response says plenty.

Grealish was left out of the squad on Thursday for what the club called “a breach of Club discipline”, with talkSPORT reporting that he had missed a training session. Everton beat Newcastle 3-1 without him anyway to reach the quarter-finals, where they will face Fleetwood.

Jay Bothroyd says David Moyes backing the club suggests Jack Grealish is in the wrong

Speaking on Sky Sports News, the former England and Cardiff striker was asked what Moyes’ reaction said about the situation, given he’s never been shy of disagreeing with a club’s decision.

“It says that whatever Jack’s done is not right in his eyes either, so that’s why he’s backing the club,” Bothroyd said. “I really like David Moyes. I think he’s a straight shooter, and a lot of the time he does protect his players, but on this occasion Jack must be in the wrong for him to say, yeah, the club has disciplined him and he backs it.”

But Bothroyd doesn’t think the punishment should carry over to Monday’s trip to St James’ Park.

“He missed last night, and he’s got Newcastle again on Monday. Yeah, so you’ve missed the game, then obviously that’s your punishment. You’re not going to get punished twice. So I think that’s gone now. That’s been put to bed.”

He did add a warning: “If he was to miss training again, then it’s going to be a more severe punishment. And then there might not be no way back because, you know, you’re disrespecting the club, you’re disrespecting the manager and your teammates.”

As Bothroyd himself points out, we still don’t know why he missed training.

Jack Grealish should stay out of the Everton XI for now

Bothroyd’s probably right that the punishment has been served. But being available and getting your place back are two different things.

Jack Grealish has made six appearances in all competitions this season, three of them starts, and is yet to register a goal or an assist. Is that enough to walk straight back into the side? On current evidence, no.

Tyrique George has found some rhythm on the left, and his pressing played a key part in James Garner’s opener on Thursday. He needs a consistent run in the team, not to make way every time a bigger name is available.

There’s a case for change on the other flank too. Tyler Dibling is still waiting for his first Premier League start, with Moyes preferring Brennan Johnson on the right. Johnson dropped out of the XI against Newcastle, and with the same opponents waiting on Monday, now’s the time to hand Dibling that first league start.