Grealish exiled as Everton thrash Newcastle to reach Carabao Cup last eight

Everton reached the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with a comfortable win over Newcastle, hours after confirming that Jack Grealish had been left out of the squad for breaching club discipline.

Everton's statement before the fourth-round tie at Hill Dickinson Stadium, carried by the Mirror, read: "Jarrad Branthwaite remains sidelined for a second successive game due to concussion protocols, while Jack Grealish is unavailable for selection due to a breach of Club discipline."

Everton have not detailed the nature of the breach. The Liverpool Echo has reported that Grealish failed to show up for a training session after missing Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Arsenal through illness.

On the pitch, Moyes's side made light of the absence. Goals from James Garner, Hayden Hackney and Thierno Barry gave Everton a clinical, committed victory that ended Newcastle's hopes of reaching the last eight for a fifth consecutive season, Guardian Sport reported.

Jordan Pickford was prominent against his former club as Everton resisted sustained spells of Newcastle pressure after exploiting defensive weaknesses in the visitors' ranks.

Prime minister Andy Burnham watched on as Everton booked a quarter-final meeting with Fleetwood Town.

Grealish's omission comes only weeks after Moyes spoke publicly about the standards he expects from the Manchester City loanee. "I think Jack knows what I expect now. We had lots of conversations last year," Moyes said, according to Yahoo Sports. "He knows when he comes here there is an opportunity for him to play and to show what he can do."

Moyes added that he wanted Grealish to set an example for Everton's younger wide players. "I also want him to be a senior professional and a role model," he said. "We've got Tyrique [George] and Tyler [Dibling] and if ever you are looking at somebody for how to play as a wide player, Jack Grealish would certainly be one of them."

The Everton manager also discussed the weight of expectation on the 31-year-old following his injury-hit first season at the club. "I do think that is the case that there is more expectation in the second season," Moyes said, "because everybody wants Jack to get back to where he was. His first three months for us last season were hugely important in getting us wins, so now it is about getting him right to perform at that level again."

Moyes noted that Grealish had endured six-and-a-half months out, with no pre-season games beyond a 15-minute Community Shield appearance, adding: "I think Jack is someone who thrives on the football. He gets himself fit through the games more so than the training. We need to be careful and see how he goes but he's looking good."

Grealish, who is on loan at Everton from Manchester City, impressed during the early part of last season before injury disrupted his stay. He returned to Merseyside this summer and has made six appearances this term without a goal or an assist.

Everton will now turn their attention to the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Fleetwood Town, with Moyes facing a decision on whether Grealish returns to the squad once the disciplinary matter is resolved.