Everton have been dealt a double injury blow ahead of their game with Newcastle United this Saturday.  Jarrad Branthwaite is facing a fitness battle and is to be assessed ahead of the game. The centre-back returned to action at the weekend, producing a solid comeback as the Blues secured their first win of the Premier League season with a comeback victory over Crystal Palace. But whether he will be available for the Newcastle game, which takes place at 5.30pm on Saturday, is now in doubt due to the emergence of what is thought to be a quad issue that is in the process of being assessed. In other injury news, Dele Alli has suffered a minor setback in his efforts to return to fitness. The 28-year-old is dealing with a muscle strain endured after he stepped up his rehabilitation work at Everton's Finch Farm training ground this summer. Join Ian Croll, Gav Buckland and Joe Thomas as they sit down in the Royal Blue Studio to discuss all of the above and give their predictions for Saturday’s encounter.  Everton FC podcasts from the Liverpool ECHO’s Royal Blue YouTube channel. Get exclusive Everton FC content - including podcasts, live shows and videos - everyday.  Subscribe to the Royal Blue Everton FC YouTube Channel and watch daily live shows HERE: https://bit.ly/3aNfYav Listen and subscribe to the Royal Blue Podcast for all your latest Everton FC content via Apple and Spotify: APPLE: https://bit.ly/3HbiY1E SPOTIFY: https://bit.ly/47xwdnY Visit the Liverpool ECHO website: https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/everton-fc Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LivEchoEFC Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@royal.blue.everto Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LiverpoolEchoEFC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices