Everton injury news as Nathan Patterson puts in Finch Farm overtime
Everton star Nathan Patterson has put in the overtime at the club’s Finch Farm training base over the close season, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.
The Scottish international endured an up-and-down experience in his full campaign at Goodison Park but his efforts were hampered by injury, under Frank Lampard as well as Sean Dyche.
Patterson has put in the hard yards to give himself the best chance of returning to first-team contention for the new Premier League season.
The player’s efforts were detailed in the report for the Echo by Joe Thomas after much of his last 12 months were decimated by different injury issues.
“But the determined full-back has not allowed the misfortune to prevent him from doing everything possible to come back stronger,” he said.
“Patterson has spent the close season as one of the few players at the Finch Farm training complex, working on his recovery.
“He is understood to be close to full fitness now but, after a short break, intends to then return to the training ground before the squad formally starts pre-season in order to further build on his work this summer.
Prove a point
The former Rangers man, still only 21, hasn’t truly established himself yet at Everton, despite showing flashes of real ability and hunger in his time on Merseyside, to date.
After seeing Dyche select both Ben Godfrey and Mason Holgate ahead of him during the end-of-season run-in, Patterson grabbed his chance for the superb 5-1 win against Brighton. He looked to have secured his spot only to be struck down by a hamstring injury at Wolves.
That frustration and the pattern of repeated problems need to end if he is to hold down his place and prove that he can be the one to succeed Seamus Coleman in the long term.
He has the attitude, application and ability, but that will only go so far. Dyche will give him his chance in the new season, but he has to prove that he can be relied upon.
Patterson has to prove a point. There is a good chance the Glaswegian will provide a typical, bullish response to the questions against him.
In other Everton news, the Toffees and Wolves are in a race to sign this striker who’s available after his recent exit development – report.