Expert issues ‘six months’ claim after Nathan Patterson-Everton news announced
Nathan Patterson may be out injured for longer than Everton have claimed.
That’s according to former Rangers and Scotland boss Alex McLeish, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the youngster’s latest setback.
On Wednesday (28 September), Everton announced Patterson is set for “four to five weeks” on the sidelines after picking up an injury in international duty.
The 20-year-old was stretchered off with a knee complaint during Scotland’s 3-0 win over Ukraine on 21 September.
As quoted by Sky Sports after the game, Scotland boss Steve Clarke admitted Patterson’s injury “doesn’t look like a good one”.
McLeish fears Patterson may end up being out for longer than the five weeks Everton have suggested.
“Frank has put that trust in him after he was stuck behind Seamus Coleman for a while,” McLeish told Football Insider’s Ben Wild.
“We have seen what he can do, the urgency, the athleticism of the kid. That is a huge blow to lose him just when he is in tip-top form.
“Listen, he’s young and this is what happens when you play the professional game. You get injuries and sometimes the five-week ones are worse than being out for six months.
“When you are out for a long, long time, you know you aren’t coming back and you know you are doing everything proper and correct.
“These niggely ones are so frustrating. You are out for five weeks and you come back then you get another knock.
“Let’s just hope that, after the five weeks, he comes back really strong and back to the sensational form he was in.“
Patterson suffered a season-ending injury in March, ending a poor first few months on Merseyside.
The Toffees are next in action against Southampton on 1 October.
In other news, sources have told Football Insider that Everton will allow Salomon Rondon to find a new club after exit talks.