Nathan Patterson hands Scotland another major Euro 2024 injury sweat as Everton defender forced off

Steve Clarke facing potential right wing-back crisis

Scotland are facing another Euro 2024 injury sweat after Everton defender Nathan Patterson was forced off in the final minute of his side’s 6-0 defeat to Chelsea.

The 22-year-old right-back was introduced as a half-time replacement for Seamus Coleman with the Toffees already 4-0 down in the Monday night Premier League fixture at Stamford Bridge. It was Patterson’s first appearance for the club since January but he was unable to complete the match after appearing to suffer a hamstring injury while attempting to defend Chelsea's sixth goal which was scored in the 90th minute by Alfie Gilchrist.

The former Rangers youngster immediately called for the medics and then left the field in some discomfort with his face inside his shirt after a night that saw Chelsea striker Cole Palmer run riot with four goals and Nicolas Jackson also on the scoresheet.

Nathan Patterson has emerged as a doubt for Euro 2024 after suffering a hamstring injury in his first Everton appearance since January. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Scotland already have a major concern over fellow right-back Aaron Hickey for the Euros with the Brentford defender unlikely to play again this season, according to his manager Thomas Frank, having not appeared since suffering a serious hamstring injury back in October.

Patterson, who has 21 caps, started both of Scotland's friendlies against the Netherlands and Northern Ireland last month and would be expected to be first choice right wing-back for the finals in Germany this summer if Hickey loses his race to be fit.

With both players now injured, and only 59 days until the tournament opener against the hosts in Munich on June 14, Clarke could be forced to look for alternative options at right wing-back with Celtic’s Anthony Ralston called up to the most recent squad, but he has only played 30 minutes of first-team football since mid-February.

Lewis Ferguson was ruled out of the Euros earlier on Monday after Bologna confirmed the midfielder suffered a cruciate ligament injury in the weekend draw with Monza.