Everton full-back Nathan Patterson has confirmed that a tangle with Dele Alli in training is what prompted his injury layoff.
The 20-year-old moved to Merseyside from Rangers in January in a £12million deal, having developed a reputation as one of Scotland's brightest prospects.
Although he has shone on the international stage in his eight outings for the senior Scotland side, Patterson found it difficult to get regular minutes under Rafael Benitez and then Frank Lampard at Everton. His only start for the club came in the FA Cup clash with non-league Boreham Wood, a game in which he was withdrawn after 45 minutes.
