Steve Clarke wants to boost Nathan Patterson’s Everton career

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke aims to help kick-start Nathan Patterson’s Everton career.

Patterson has been named in the Scotland squad for this month’s friendlies against Poland and either Wales or Austria despite a lack of game time.

The 20-year-old has only played one first-team game for Everton since his final match for Rangers on December 18. His debut against Boreham Wood lasted 45 minutes as Frank Lampard made a tactical change following a goalless FA Cup first half against the non-league side.

Clarke hopes that giving Patterson some game time for Scotland can persuade Lampard to use the right-back more often.

“There’s one or two little issues within the squad,” said Clarke, whose other right-sided wing-back, Stephen O’Donnell, has been struggling for regular starts with Motherwell.

“Nathan Patterson got a fantastic move to Everton that hasn’t quite worked out for him. He has only had one start, 45 minutes, so it would have been difficult to pick Nathan for a really competitive game, if I’m being honest.

“But, going into a friendly situation, it might be a chance to get minutes into Nathan’s legs, which will help him for us and hopefully help him get a more regular run-out with his club.

“Obviously you have to be aware of the fact that Everton are in a perilous position and I understand Frank’s dilemma in picking a young player.”

Clarke is without David Turnbull, John Souttar, Liam Cooper and Kevin Nisbet through injury and could be forced to change his squad after the weekend.

“There’s a little issue with Lyndon Dykes,” he said. “He hasn’t played for a few weeks but I had a good conversation with Mark Warburton and we will be guided by QPR and their medical staff.

“We are hopeful that Lyndon will be on the