Everton defender Branthwaite opens up on injury nightmare and England return | OneFootball

Jarrad Branthwaite revealed he travelled to Germany as part of a different rehabilitation approach after repeated injury setbacks left him “devastated”.

The Everton defender said the decision, driven largely by Everton boss David Moyes, was taken in an effort to find a new way of managing his body after recurring hamstring problems.

“As a club, we sat down, and it was probably David Moyes’ idea, more than anything, to go and have a look elsewhere at different things,” Branthwaite said.

“We found someone in Germany when we went there, and I was there for three or four weeks, just looking at a different approach to the body, a holistic approach to the body, essentially.

“And fingers crossed, it’s put me in a good position.”

The 24-year-old explained that the treatment focused on more than simply the injured area, including movement patterns and how his body reacted under fatigue.

“You don’t just look at the hamstring as such,” he said.

“You look at everything, the way you move, and how your brain works and how it functions at different times under fatigue and things.”

Branthwaite also praised Everton’s management of his workload during pre-season, saying the club gradually built up his minutes to ensure he was ready for the start of the campaign.

“As a club, they did a really good job with me over the summer to do that and put me in the best possible condition.

But Branthwaite says his return to the England squad has made the work involved in his rehabilitation feel worthwhile.

“When I went off with the injury, I was devastated after the amount of times I’ve come back from it, and then for it to happen again,” he said.

“I think all the hard work that’s gone into the rehab and to get back to this point, it makes it worthwhile.

“And I’m just buzzing to be back in the England squad. Every time you see your name on the list, it’s a pleasure, and I’m thankful that I get this opportunity to play for England.”