Grealish left out for discipline breach as Everton reach EFL Cup quarter-finals

Jack Grealish was left out of Everton's squad for their 3-1 EFL Cup victory over Newcastle United because of a breach of club discipline, manager David Moyes confirmed. BBC Sport reported that Moyes supported the club's decision but declined to provide details after Thursday's win at Hill Dickinson Stadium, which secured a place in the quarter-finals.

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The result set up a last-eight tie away to League Two side Fleetwood Town. Everton progressed without the 31-year-old England winger, who is on loan from Manchester City. Moyes praised the players who took part in the Newcastle match and said they had upheld the club's standards both on and off the pitch, despite limitations in parts of his squad.

Everton did not publicly explain the disciplinary breach. Moyes described Grealish's omission as a club decision and said he did not want to discuss it at length. He also declined to say whether the winger would return for the Premier League meeting with Newcastle on Monday, leaving his availability for that fixture unconfirmed. The manager did not announce a timetable for his return.

Grealish rejoined Everton before the summer transfer window closed and has made five Premier League appearances for them this season. He also played in their EFL Cup third-round victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. Before returning to Merseyside, he appeared as a substitute for City in the Community Shield defeat by Arsenal and their opening Premier League win over Bournemouth.

His previous loan spell at Everton produced two goals and six assists in 20 appearances before a foot injury ended his season in January, according to BBC Sport. He had won the Premier League's player-of-the-month award for August early in that spell. Moyes had publicly spoken about the affection for Grealish at the club during a period in which the winger made a strong impression.

For Everton, Thursday's result kept alive their pursuit of a first major trophy since 1995. Moyes credited the players involved for their performance and their determination to remain competitive with a limited squad. The team now has a confirmed quarter-final opponent, while the manager's comments offered no further clarity on Grealish's immediate involvement.