Everton faced League One side Bradford City in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday, but the match was marred by one of the Toffees’ star players being carried off on a stretcher with a serious injury.
Everton prospect Joel Catesby has been rushed to hospital after sustaining a serious injury during a Premier League match. The 18-year-old featured for the Toffees Under-21s in the EFL Trophy against Bradford City.
He played alongside first-team stars Dwight McNeil and Nathan Patterson. However, the night soon turned into a nightmare for Catesby. As he tried to mount a counterattack, he found himself under a fair but tough challenge from Bradford defender Brad Halliday. He was soon writhing in pain and video footage showed his leg pointing in the wrong direction.
Medical staff quickly sprang into action to treat Catesby. The treatment lasted about 10 minutes and the boy was taken off the pitch on a stretcher.
Everton said in a statement: “Everyone at the club would like to wish Joel Catesby a speedy recovery after his injury in tonight’s game away to Bradford. We will update our fans on the extent of Joel’s injury in due course. Joel, we wish you all the best.”
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After the game, Everton head coach Paul Tait said: “[Joel’s injury]was the worst thing that happened tonight. He went to hospital so we’ll know a little bit more. That can happen. Those players came to see me to apologize to me and assure me there was no malicious intent.”
Meanwhile, Bradford midfielder and former Everton youngster Jenson Metcalfe said in his post-match interview:
“But he has a great medical staff and I’ve been working closely with them, even though I was seriously injured, so I’m confident he’ll get better and come back.”
A long-term injury would be a cruel development for Catesby. The youngster has been at the club since he was four years old and made the breakthrough to the Under-18s last season, but his season was interrupted by another injury.
Apart from the youngster’s issues, it was a rough night on the pitch for Everton’s development squad. They lost 5-1 to Bradford, with the League One team trailing 4-0 before half-time.
Everton gained a foothold through a Joe Wright own goal, and the home side scored the winning goal just before the end of the second half. The club’s Under-21s have not been back in action for several weeks, with their next match against Merseyside rivals Liverpool at the end of the month.
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