The views on this page are taken from the local and national media and do not necessarily reflect the views of Everton.

Jarrad Branthwaite has been described as a “shining light” by the manager of his former club, Carlisle United.

The Everton defender arrived at St. George’s Park on Tuesday to train with the senior England squad for the first time ahead of friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.

Branthwaite joined Everton as a 17-year-old in 2020, signing from Carlisle – his hometown club, and their manager Paul Simpson gave his reaction to Blues defender’s call-up.

“It’s absolutely brilliant, and it gives so much pride to a football club to know that we started that young fella off on his journey,” said Simpson, quoted by the News and Star.

“He's been superb in the Premier League this season. He came through at Carlisle, and it's a bit of inspiration for all the other young players at clubs like Carlisle United to know that there's a starting ground here.

“And if you look at a lot of the central defenders who are involved in England, they have all started at the lower levels and worked their way through. We have to use him as the shining light of what the academy can produce.

“So it’s absolutely super for Jarrad and his family. And hopefully he gets an opportunity [in these games].”

Elsewhere, reporting for the Liverpool ECHO, journalist Joe Thomas explains his takeaways after visiting the new Everton Stadium; a project he describes as “breath-taking”.

“The scale of the project is phenomenal,” he writes. “This is a mammoth undertaking and will be a breath-taking achievement. From the top of that south stand, where 13,000 Blues will one day kick every ball that drops on the turf beneath them, the panorama is jaw-dropping. Obstructed views will be consigned to history.

“There are two great aspects to this project that only hit me during my visit this week. One is the sense that the ground’s location is inescapable. I have always been in awe of the Liverpool docks and the industry that surrounds it, and the views south to the city centre, across the Mersey and up towards the port offer a constant reminder of where this ground is that adds to its aura.

“The second is just how much this new stadium will foster a sense of wider community. On some levels supporters will be able to navigate the concourses of the north, east and south stands meaning friends and family can meet up inside the stadium even if their seats are opposite each other.

“That gives almost everyone the opportunity to take in the stunning views out of the back of the south stand towards the Royal Liver Building and the historic landmarks this new stadium has already joined.”