Everton drops Jack Grealish over disciplinary breach

Everton did not include Jack Grealish in the squad for the League Cup round of 16 match against Newcastle on Thursday. The club said the winger had broken the team's disciplinary code, a decision that kept the Manchester City loanee out of the matchday group.

His absence did not prevent the Toffees from sealing a place in the quarter-finals with a 3-1 win. Garner, Hackney and Dewsbury-Hall scored for the home side, while Willock pulled one back for Newcastle late in the game.

• Everton beat Newcastle 3-1 to reach the League Cup quarter-finals.
• Jack Grealish missed the match after breaking the team's disciplinary code.
• English media report that the player skipped a training session.
• Grealish is on loan from Manchester City and has played five games this season.
• Everton will face fourth-tier Fleetwood Town in the next round.

Everton's disciplinary decision on Jack Grealish

Everton announced that Grealish's absence came after a breach of the squad's disciplinary code. The club did not reveal the specific reason, but several English media outlets linked the punishment to the attacker failing to show up for a training session.

The player has already experienced a difficult spell at Everton. Last season he was also on loan at the club, but a foot injury in January led to surgery and ended his campaign early.

Everton advances to the League Cup quarter-finals

Without Grealish on the pitch, Everton settled the match with goals from Garner in the 34th minute, Hackney in the 45th and Dewsbury-Hall in the 69th. Newcastle reduced the deficit through Willock in the 88th minute but could not avoid elimination.

The victory puts the Toffees into the quarter-final draw, where they will meet Fleetwood Town. The fourth-division club produced one of the shocks of the previous round by knocking out Arsenal on penalties.

Grealish's difficult fit at Everton

Grealish, 31, arrived at Everton with the reputation of a quality addition to the left side of attack. So far he has featured in five matches for the Liverpool club, a low number for a player Manchester City wanted to see regain match rhythm.

His season is marked by setbacks: last Saturday he missed the match against Arsenal through illness in a 2-0 defeat, and now the cup tie as well because of a coaching decision following the disciplinary issue.

Grealish's loan from Manchester City and his recent history

The relationship between the player and Everton is going through a delicate moment. Last season his loan was cut short in January by a foot problem that required surgery, and now his continuity at the club is again under scrutiny for non-sporting reasons.

Manchester City still owns the player's rights and is monitoring his progress on Merseyside. Everton's decision comes just as Grealish was beginning to pick up minutes, something that affects the plans of both parties for the rest of the campaign.

What Everton can achieve in the League Cup

The League Cup offers Everton a direct route to silverware this season. The quarter-final draw paired them with Fleetwood Town, a lower-division opponent that has already shown it can surprise teams like Arsenal.

The competition is known for giving clubs from different divisions a chance to progress. Everton will try to use their status as favourites in the tie, although first they must resolve the internal situation with Grealish and decide whether he will be available for the next rounds.