Medical insider: Nathan Patterson may be out longer than Everton letting on amid ‘serious concern’
Nathan Patterson could be out of action for up to six weeks – slightly longer than Everton themselves have forecasted.
That is the view of medical expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in injury and data analysis.
Patterson, 20, was strechered off after first-hald challenge from Ruslan Malinovskyi in Scotland’s 3-0 win over Ukraine last Wednesday (21 September).
The right-back has started all eight of the Toffees’ matches this term after his first six months at the club following his move from Rangers were heavily disrupted by an ankle injury.
Captain Seamus Coleman, who has recently recovered from groin surgery, will now likely step back into the side in his place.
Everton announced on Wednesday (28 September) that Patterson was facing “four to five” weeks on the sidelines.
Dinnery suggests that, while the injury could have been a lot worse, the youngster’s timeline could actually be up to six weeks.
“It’s thought it’s not as sbad erious as we first feared,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“Initially, the serious concern was that we were looking at that left leg, with maybe some MCL involvement
“The big worry was that he had ankle surgery back in April that ended his season. But thankfully, it doesn’t look like the ankle involvement is too severe.
“Initial timelines suggest we are looking at up to six weeks.
“It’s never nice seeing a player stretchered off, but in the grand scheme of things, that’s good. It’s not ideal but it could have been a lot worse.”
In other news, Gabby Agbonlahor issues verdict on Frank Lampard quitting Everton after new reveal