Sky Sports pundit bemoans inability to protect ‘quality’ Everton youngster Nathan Patterson
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week the former Toffees captain will be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
Nathan Patterson will be “gutted” to be ruled out for Everton because he was performing so well and about to kick on according to Kevin Campbell.
The Scotland right-back injured his ankle on international duty against Ukraine on 21 September, to knock out a quarter of the outstanding back-four that have developed so strongly under Frank Lampard this season, and is set to miss up to five weeks [BBC Sport, 28 September].
Sky Sports pundit Campbell admits that it is a blow but feels it is next to impossible to protect “quality” young players from injury when there is so much football to be played, especially when they are picked for their countries.
He exclusively told Goodison News: “He was getting better and better game by game. His energy, his defensive work was excellent and you could see he’s going to kick on.
“But unfortunately with a lot of football it’s difficult to protect these youngsters. Especially when they’re so good.
“Because they get called up to international duty, they’ve got to play and train and do all the bits and pieces, so it’s a blow.
“But five weeks for a young lad like Nathan Patterson is not going to be a problem. I think yeah he’s going to be gutted that he’s out but as far as I’m concerned obviously Seamus [Coleman] is fit so maybe he’ll cover or somebody else will.
“But once [Patterson’s] fit and raring to go he’ll be back in, because he’s quality.
“These youngsters, they heal so fast. So they say five weeks, let’s see how it goes. Hopefully it will be that and he’ll come back and not have a problem with it.
“I believe it’s his medial [MCL] so wrap him in cotton wool a little bit and get him back.”
After injuries already in the defensive department to Yerry Mina, Ben Godfrey and Mason Holgate, this is the most concerning of all considering how well the former Rangers man has done alongside James Tarkowski, Conor Coady and Vitalii Mykolenko.
Last season the defence was a definite weakness and too many goals were conceded, but in the new campaign the Toffees have a record to rival anyone in the division.
Coleman will likely return to the side for his first Premier League action of the season so Lampard will have to hope there is no rustiness and the transition doesn’t cause any issues, with the return to action after the international break on the horizon as Southampton visit Goodison on Saturday (1 October).