Kieran Tierney has sent a message to his Scotland team-mate Nathan Patterson after the Everton defender suffered an injury in their Nations League win over Ukraine earlier this week.
The Blues star was stretchered off after 26 minutes in the 3-0 victory over Ukraine, a huge blow for the 20-year-old after a positive start to the season. Patterson has played 90 minutes of every single Premier League game for Everton this season, as well as over an hour in the Carabao Cup victory over Fleetwood Town last month.
The Scotland international has become a starter under Frank Lampard after a slow start to life at Everton since his arrival in January. The right back missed months of action last term after undergoing ankle surgery, before establishing himself in the starting line-up during pre-season.
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Tierney, who has suffered injury problems of his own at Arsenal, has backed the youngster to 'come back strong' after the latest setback.
“I felt for him,” he told the Scotsman.. “I knew straight away because I’ve been there. It’s football, isn’t it? What can you do? He won a tackle and bust a gut to get back and picked up an injury. He’s done it for us.
"I don’t know the extent of it but I hope it’s not too bad and he’s back soon. It’s just a shame because he’s been flying this season. The main thing with injuries is you have to accept it. There’s nothing you can do. You can’t not tackle. You have to give 100 percent. Nathan did that and he got an injury. But I’m sure he’ll work hard and come back strong.
“I’ve had a few myself, as you know. The longest have been two or three months. I had the knee operation in the summer as well and once you are back you are still managing it as well. It’s not like you are 100 percent as soon as you are back. I missed pre-season as well so I’m still playing a bit of catch up, trying to get fit. I’m working hard every day and I’ve been looking forward to this run with Scotland to get some game time.”
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