Everton captain Samus Coleman faces race to be fit for Premier League opener
Everton captain Seamus Coleman faces a race to be fit for the start of the season, according to the Liverpool Echo’s Chris Beesley.
The 34-year-old suffered an injury that is keeping him out of training and will not travel with the squad on their pre-season tour to America.
However, manager Frank Lampard is optimistic that Coleman will return before the start of the season revealing that his team needs their leader. [Liverpool Echo]
Lampard said: “Seamus Coleman is not training at the minute because of an injury but hopefully he’ll be fit very early in the season.
“He’s our captain and our leader and I just want everyone to be involved, so we’re all here.”
Chance for Patterson?
Coleman’s absence could be an opening for the 20-year-old defender, Nathan Patterson, who has only made one appearance for the club since joining from Rangers.
Lampard added: ““It’s an opportunity for others. Nathan Patterson has got over his injury.” [Liverpool Echo]
The Scottish full-back joined the Toffees in January 2022 for a fee of £12m.
Before joining Everton, he came through the youth ranks and made 27 appearances for the Gers before moving to Merseyside in an attempt to take his progression to the next level.
Patterson signed a five-year deal but his start to life at Goodison Park was disrupted when he required ankle surgery in April 2022 and missed 10 straight games for the club.
It has not been an easy start to life in Blue for Patterson but he has been seen in training and has been included in the Everton pre-season tour squad.
However, now fit again, it is expected that the defender, who has made 10 appearances for the Scottish national team, will state a case to be Coleman’s successor if he can stay fit.
In other Everton news, the club have been strongly linked with a move for Wolves midfielder, Morgan Gibbs-White.