Michael Ball feared Nathan Patterson’s Everton career was in danger of being killed off before it even got started by a case of toxic shock.
But he believes the protective arm thrown round the former Rangers ace by Goodison gaffer Frank Lampard means he’s now set to flourish after successfully bedding into his new Premier League environment. The 20-year-old didn’t exactly live up to the hype during his first six months in England following his £12million switch from Ibrox.
He registered a grand total of just 45 minutes of action after being hooked at half-time on his debut in an FA Cup tie against Boreham Wood in March. Surgery on an ankle injury brought an early end to his campaign without him making another appearance but the question marks over his signing - sanctioned by former boss Rafa Benitez - continued to float about Liverpool during his two-month injury lay-off amid ill-informed speculation that new manager Lampard didn’t fancy the Scotland full-back.
