Frank Lampard’s Everton side have been dealt a major blow as it has emerged that Nathan Patterson will be forced to spend a further six weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
The Scottish defender had returned from an ankle injury suffered while on international duty with Scotland, but was forced off after an hour during his side’s 4-1 defeat to Brighton with knee ligament damage after attempting to challenge Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma.
At a press conference ahead of the Toffees’ trip to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United in the FA Cup third round, Lampard confirmed that the Scottish youngster would be facing another spell on the sidelines.
“He’s out for six weeks unfortunately. It’s a knee medial ligament injury”, the Everton boss explained,
“It’s a big blow. A freak injury for us. He’ll be back.”
It leaves Lampard facing mounting pressure after the heavy defeat to the Seagulls, with the Everton boss already facing a stay of execution as his side fell into the relegation zone following their fourth loss in five games.
However, Yerey Mina is likely to have recovered from illness himself, Lampard confirmed.
Seamus Coleman, who replaced Patterson in midweek, is likely to start once again against the Red Devils, and Patterson’s injury could force the Toffees into the transfer market to seek a replacement before the end of the month.
