Everton manager Sean Dyche has given his verdict on Nathan Patterson‘s cameo performance in Sunday’s defeat to Nottingham Forest after the Scotland defender was handed a rare opportunity by the Goodison Park boss.
The former Rangers full back made just his third appearance of the season when he replaced veteran Ashley Young for the final 22 minutes of the 2-0 home loss that has left the Toffees sitting just two points above the Premier League drop zone. The 23-year-old has been ravaged with injuries on Merseyside since his switch from Ibrox in January 2022 and has only recently returned from a serious hamstring problem that kept him out of Euro 2024.
Patterson’s lack of game time has sparked talk that the defender could leave the club on loan on January, with a return to Rangers floated as a potential destination. But following his brief outing against Forest, Dyche has voiced his satisfaction at Patterson’s impact on the game despite his side’s disappointing defeat.
Asked about his decision to introduce ex Manchester United star Young with Patterson in the second half, he replied: “Youngy has just come back in the side and we know Patto is more of a going forward player, advancing down the pitch which I thought he tried to effect doing that. There is one of the ways how you can affect it.”
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