Patterson out for four weeks

EVERTON have confirmed that Nathan Patterson’s ankle injury sustained while on Scotland duty is not as bad as first feared. The former Rangers right-back was stretchered off after 25 minutes of the 3-0 Nations League win over Ukraine at Hampden last week after falling awkwardly in a challenge with opponent Ruslan Malinovskyi. Scotland boss Steve Clarke said afterwards that the injury ‘doesn’t look too good’, sparking concern that the 20-year-old faced a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Patterson missed the 2-1 win over the Republic of Ireland at Hampden on Saturday and the 0-0 draw with Ukraine in Poland on Tuesday night, but, following checks with a specialist in London, the defender will now return to his club for further treatment and could be back in as little as four weeks’ time should his recovery go to plan. The news will be welcomed by Everton boss Frank Lampard, who had played Patterson in every minute of the Premier League campaign this season to date. A club statement read: ‘Everton defender Nathan Patterson is expected to be out for around four to five weeks with an ankle injury. ‘Following a consultation with a specialist in London, Patterson will now undergo treatment under the care of Everton’s medical team at Finch Farm.’