Nathan Patterson's agent has branded claims Everton are considering allowing him to leave on loan as "embarrassing".
Grant Smith took to Twitter to say that "never once has [a] loan been considered" for the 20-year-old. Separately, the ECHO also understands there are currently no plans in place to let the Scotland international start the season elsewhere.
Patterson is yet to play in the Premier League for Everton after injury blighted his season following his move from Rangers in January. With Seamus Coleman still recovering from surgery this summer he is in contention to make his first league start when the season begins with Chelsea's visit to Goodison Park on August 6.
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Patterson was the subject of claims his Everton career could be set back by a loan move ahead of the new season. In reaction to that suggestion being repeated, FA registered intermediary Mr Smith wrote on Twitter: "Embarrassing again. Never once has loan been considered... Why do we constantly try and harm our young players up here."
Patterson produced a stand out performance against Blackpool on Sunday, grabbing two assists as he posed a constant threat down the Everton right. His display led to praise from Blues boss Frank Lampard, who told the ECHO following the friendly : "He's a good young player and just as I was about to give him an opportunity last year he got injured before West Ham so it's great for me to be able to play him in these kind of games where there are not points on it. But you can see him and how he plays. He's played really well for Scotland when he's played over this last year so it was good for that, to see him play."
Patterson was on the brink of his first league appearance when he snapped a ligament in training but has now recovered from the surgery required to deal with that injury. He has played in each of Everton's pre-season friendlies so far, starting all three. After the game against Arsenal, he told the ECHO what Lampard had requested from him ahead of the new season.
He said: "Just comfort on the ball, he wants me to make things happen, be aggressive and drive the team forward and create things. That's what I love doing, I love driving the team forward, making chances and ultimately - hopefully - getting some assists and goals this season that will push us up the league."
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