Premier League youngster stretchered off after sickening injury in EFL Trophy clash

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Everton prospect Joel Catesby was rushed to hospital after suffering a serious injury while in action for the Premier League side. The 18-year-old lined up for the Toffees under-21 side in the EFL Trophy clash against Bradford City .

He played alongside first-team stars Dwight McNeil and Nathan Patterson. But the evening very quickly turned into a nightmare for Catesby. As he tried to stage a counter-attack, he was on the end of a hard if fair challenge from Bradford defender Brad Halliday. He was immediately left writhing in pain, with video footage of the aftermath showing his foot pointing in the wrong direction.

Medical staff quickly sprung into action as they treated Catesby. Treatment continued for around ten minutes before the youngster was stretchered off of the pitch.

A statement from Everton read: “Everyone at the Club wishes Joel Catesby a speedy recovery following the injury sustained away at Bradford this evening. We will update fans on the extent of Joel’s injury in due course. Best wishes, Joel.”

Speaking after the game, Everton head coach Paul Tait said: "[Joel's injury] was the worst bit of tonight. He’s gone to hospital and we’ll know a bit more later. It can happen – their lad has been to see me to apologise and assure us there was no malice.”

Meanwhile, Bradford midfielder and former Everton youngster Jenson Metcalfe said in his post-match interview: “Firstly, I just want to wish Joel a speedy recovery, it’s never easy seeing someone go down like that and you know it’s going to be a long recovery.

“But he has got the great medical staff there who I worked closely as well with a tough injury, and I am sure that he will be back better.”

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A long-term injury would be a brutal development for Catesby. The youngster has been with the club since the age of four and made a breakthrough into the under-18 side last season but saw his campaign curtailed by another injury.

Away from the youngster’s issue, it was a brutal night on the pitch for Everton’s development squad. They slipped to a 5-1 defeat to Bradford, with the League One side easing into a 4-0 lead before half time.

Everton found a foothold through Joe Wright’s own goal, with a late strike from the hosts rounding off the scoring. The club’s under-21 side are not back in action for a few weeks, with their next game pitting them against Merseyside rivals Liverpool at the end of the month.

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