Everton full-back Nathan Patterson has confirmed that a tangle with Dele Alli in training is what prompted his injury layoff.
The 20-year-old moved to Merseyside from Rangers in January in a £12million deal, having developed a reputation as one of Scotland's brightest prospects.
Although he has shone on the international stage in his eight outings for the senior Scotland side, Patterson found it difficult to get regular minutes under Rafael Benitez and then Frank Lampard at Everton. His only start for the club came in the FA Cup clash with non-league Boreham Wood, a game in which he was withdrawn after 45 minutes.
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However, Blues boss Lampard did confirm that Patterson was primed to make his first Premier League start against West Ham United in April, although on the eve of the game he picked up an ankle injury that ruled him out for the remainder of the season.
And now the youngster has provided some detail around how he suffered the problem, with a clash with fellow January acquisition Alli the cause, per the Scotsman.
"I knew straight away it was a bad one,” Patterson said. “It was the last five minutes at the end of training and I was due to play the next day. I had waited a long time for the opportunity.
"But these things happen in football. It was just unfortunate, a block tackle and I went over on the ankle and snapped ligaments. Dele came straight up to me after training and apologised but it wasn’t his fault."
Patterson also revealed he has spoken to Lampard about his development and noted that Everton's perilous position in the Premier League was a contributing factor to him being held back.
"I have had a good few chats with him,” Patterson said. “He was always making sure I’m ready, he didn’t want to throw me in at the deep end with the situation the club was in fighting relegation.
"It was important we got as many points as we could to stay up. He wanted to make sure I was ready. But then when I was ready, I got injured. It’s unfortunate but it happens and I look forward to pre-season.
"He likes young players and wants to develop young players and bring them through. He wants a young squad so I’ll make sure when I go back for pre-season I hit the ground running and give them something to think about."
