Everton defender Nathan Patterson suffers a minor injury in training | OneFootball

Everton defender Nathan Patterson has suffered a minor injury in training, according to Bobble.

The reliable Toffees outlet (followed by the likes of Alan Myers, Fabrizio Romano, Jason Burt and Christopher Beesley) reported via X on Friday afternoon that the 23-year-old Everton star is set to miss the club’s FA Cup fourth-round fixture against Bournemouth on Saturday as a precaution.

However, Patterson is scheduled to resume full first-team training next week in a boost for manager David Moyes.

The Scotland international has made just eight appearances across all competitions so far this term due to his injury woes and has yet to play 90 minutes.

He was involved in action as a cameo against Leicester City last weekend having only returned to action last December.

Everton could do with Patterson within their ranks and Moyes will hope he can return to full fitness before the end of the month.

The Goodison Park club need all the squad depth they can get heading into the business end of the season, and having the full-back back will be a much-needed boost.

39-year-old Ashley Young has been the first-choice right-back in the absence of Patterson, and he could do with some rest having featured in 23 games across all competitions thus far this term.

Everton are two places and nine points above the relegation zone after 23 games and Moyes will be desperate to lead them into a top-half-of-the table finish.

Booking a place in the fifth-round of the FA Cup will be a huge boost ahead of the Merseyside derby against Liverpool at Goodison Park on Wednesday, and they will need to field a strong team tomorrow to get the better of the Cherries.