Everton star Nathan Patterson has endured another rotten stroke of luck after being injured hours before his planned Premier League debut.
And manager Frank Lampard believes his ankle problem "might not be a good one".
The Scotland star impressed again on international duty last week and that form had Lampard ready to finally throw him in for league action.
But in training on Saturday the former Rangers defender, sold for a club record fee in January, suffered an ankle injury which is set to keep him waiting even longer three months since leaving Ibrox.
The Toffees continued their slump in his absence, losing 2-1 at West Ham United as Michael Keane was sent off in the second half.
It leaves them just two points away from the relegation zone, though they have two games in hand over 18th-placed Watford
Lampard revealed he was lining up Patterson's debut pre-match but the injury forced him into a rethink.
He said: "Patterson turned his ankle in training yesterday, which is disappointing as he's in a really good moment after the international break.
"He would have made his (Premier League) debut today.
"We need to get it scanned but it might not be a good one."
Patterson instead watched the match from home, posting a picture of his TV to Instagram with the message: "Gutted to miss today. COYB."
