Sean Dyche launches defence of Michael Keane and explains Jake O'Brien challenge for Everton

Sean Dyche heaped praise on Michael Keane as he revealed the centre back played through injury concerns to help Everton at Leicester City.

The Blues earned a useful point in atrocious weather at the King Power Stadium in a game that both sides played under huge pressure after tough starts to the campaign. Everton were much the better team for the first hour but were almost overwhelmed after the hosts fought back through Stephy Mavididi.

That draw was the start of an improved run of results for Everton, who have since beaten Crystal Palace and drawn with Newcastle United. Dyche will hope that form continues as his side returns from the international break with important matches against Ipswich Town, Fulham and Southampton.

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Whether Jarrad Branthwaite, whose only appearance this season was against Palace, returns at Portman Road remains to be seen but Dyche has been full of praise for Keane, who has played in his absence and could be favoured again should Branthwaite miss out on Saturday as he recovers from a quad issue.

The Blues boss added Keane played through a dead leg at Leicester as he sought to remain available amid a defensive crisis that has also seen centre back partner James Tarkowski play through injury. It is not the first time Keane has played through fitness concerns when required to by Everton managers - he started the heavy defeat to Tottenham Hotspur under Frank Lampard when ill.

Of his value to the squad this season, Dyche said: “I know he has had his question marks, but I think he performed well this pre-season, I think he has performed well generally in the season.

"He knows there is really strong competition. He's a rounded professional. He's looked at the form of Jarrad and Tarkowski last season, at that back five as a unit [including Jordan Pickford], and he's aware of that.

"But he certainly showed up and said: ‘Well, I'm ready to play when I'm called upon.’

“He hardly misses a day’s training. He played very well with a dead leg down at Leicester. That could have kept other players out but he did not make an excuse about it or moan about it, he just went: ‘I'm ready, I want to play.’

"And he continues to be the right pro that he is, which is a very good one. But he does know there's a challenge - with Jake [O’Brien] coming in as well.

"Jake's training well. It's a good thing to have. We want competition. It is hard here because we haven’t got massive numbers. But you do want competition and that's good for them.”