Nathan Patterson suffers nightmare injury on Everton return as Scotland face right back crisis for Euro 2024

Luckless Nathan Patterson was forced off with injury - just minutes after being handed a return to action for Everton.

It has sparked a major sweat for Scotland boss Steve Clarke - who is already facing problems at right-back with Euro 2024 fast approaching. Aaron Hickey is unlikely to return to action for Brentford before the end of the English Premier League campaign - and Clarke would have been relieved to see Patterson handed a rare appearance for the Toffees' as they faced Chelsea.

The 22-year-old replaced Seamus Coleman at half-time to make his first appearance for Everton since January with Mauricio Pochettino's side already leading 4-0 - but was unable to see out the remainder of the drubbing when he limped off in injury time after appearing to pull his hamstring while attempting to block Alfie Gilchrist's goal-bound effort. With Chelsea leading 6-0 Ben Godfrey came off the bench. The former Rangers man has been hampered by injuries since he left Ibrox for Goodison Park in January 2022.

Along with Hickey, Lewis Ferguson will also miss the tournament after picking up a knock for Bologna that will require surgery. Grant Hanley is also facing a race against the clock having been hampered by fitness woes in the second half of Norwich's campaign.

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