Nathan Patterson has revealed how Seamus Coleman has remained a key figure behind-the-scenes at Everton despite his season-ending injury.
Coleman was carried off on a stretcher during the recent 2-2 draw at Leicester City after colliding with Boubakary Soumare. The full-back looked in obvious pain immediately after the incident but says he has avoided serious injury.
Initial fears were that Coleman had suffered a serious setback, but scans confirmed that there was no damage to his ACL, which would have meant a lay-off of nine to 12 months.
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And even though the Republic of Ireland international is not set to feature again this season, that hasn’t stopped him from playing his part behind-the-scenes as the Blues battle to avoid relegation to the Sky Bet Championship.
"A couple of days after the injury, he was back in speaking to me about the clips we get through on the opposition," Patterson told evertonfc.com.
"Injuries are part of the game, but it's hugely disappointing, especially at this time of the season as well.
"He's still rallying the boys up, and his focus is more on the group than him, as usual. He's a top lad, and he'll be back. He sets the standard — a high standard — for what it means to be an Everton player.
"You see it in training every day, and even in the gym, he's driving people to do things to their best. He doesn't let anyone get away with anything silly; even in wee passing drills, he's making sure people are on it.
"You hear him in the background, making sure everyone is switched on. That's what you want from your captain."
Patterson completed his move to Goodison Park from Rangers last year. He arrived at Everton from Ibrox for an undisclosed fee, believed to be £12m.
The Blues had initially had two previous offers for Patterson rejected by Rangers. However, their final bid was enough to secure the services of the highly sought-after defender.
But Patterson initially struggled to make a meaningful impact at the club. He was handed his first-team debut against Boreham Wood in the FA Cup, but despite an impressive showing in the first team, he was replaced by Richarlison at the break as the Blues changed their shape for the second half.
And that was the last time Everton supporters saw Patterson last season after he picked up an ankle injury that ruled him out of the remainder of the campaign. Injury has again prevented Patterson from making a meaningful impact at Goodison Park.
So far this season, the Scotland international has only made 22 appearances in all competitions after picking up two separate knocks during the campaign. But Patterson believes he has found the perfect mentor in fellow right-back Coleman.
"He's a top guy, honestly," he told evertonfc.com. "I couldn't speak more highly of him.
"He was the first guy to come and speak to me when I first got here. He's great with me; he encourages me every single day, and he's great to work with.
"He's a top player who's played here for more than 13 years, so many games, and he's been a top performer for such a long time, so it's impossible not to pick up things from him, especially with how he is."
The right-back then continued: "When I had the good run in the team before my knee injury, he was probably in contact with me more than ever.
"He could see I was doing well, and he was encouraging me to keep it up. His main interest is for the club. He wants the club to do well, and that happens if individuals are playing well. It's great to have that feeling he brings.
"He's been there, too, when I've not been in the team. He's been in the game a long time, and he knows that can happen. It's part of football. He's a proper captain."
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