Sean Dyche breaks Nathan Patterson 'slap' silence as Everton boss claims star simply 'didn't get the joke'

Everton boss Sean Dyche has hit out at claims that he slapped Nathan Patterson during the club's recent trip to Portugal - insisting he merely 'tapped' the Scotland star, who didn't get the joke.

The alleged incident occurred during the Toffees training camp in Portugal earlier this month, with Dyche taking advantage in a break between fixtures to take his players to the continent for some warm weather training. Reports soon emerged that the Everton manager had slapped former Rangers full back Patterson during a session and that the two had to be separated by other members of the squad.

However, speaking to the media ahead of his side's Premier League clash with Bournemouth on Saturday, ex-Burnley gaffer Dyche has moved to play down the incident and insists that it has been blown out of proportion. He said: "You know, never let the truth get in the way of a good story.

"So, there’s nothing in it really, I tapped him on the head like your older brother would and he didn’t get the joke, there's nothing more to it but of course, that wouldn’t have sold. So, everyone has to add layers and layers and layers to it but it’s really that simple."

Patterson, 22, has struggled for game-time at Goodison Park this season and has not made a competitive appearance since coming off the bench in a goalless draw with Fulham at the end of January. The right back featured in both of Scotland's matches during the international break and came under fire for an error that led to Conor Bradley's winning goal for Northern Ireland at Hampden on Tuesday night.