Everton are facing some really interesting selection decisions for their game against Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon.
Injuries have plagued Everton all season-long, with Jarrad Branthwaite still yet to even play a single minute of football after inking his new deal.
David Moyes provided some insight on Friday as to which players would be fit enough to play in the game at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The update comes after Tim Iroegbunam picked up a one-game suspension earlier in the week against Bournemouth.
Everton’s options are certainly being tested ahead of the January transfer window opening up in a few weeks.
It may remain unclear who will start for the Blues on Saturday, but Nathan Patterson’s future at the club may have just become even clearer.
David Moyes makes Nathan Patterson’s Everton future clear
Ahead of the game on Saturday, Moyes admitted he was disappointed to be without Iroegbunam, who will serve his yellow card suspension.
The Everton boss is going to be left with a real conundrum as he faces the prospect of missing Michael Keane through injury again.
With Jake O’Brien potentially set to return to right-back, Moyes made it clear how he feels about Patterson without having to say his name.
Why do you think Everton are receiving SO MANY yellow cards this season? 😫
“He [O’Brien] is a centre-back and he’s playing out of position. But if he plays centre-back, he’s got to move the likes of Tarky [Tarkowski] and Jarrad [Branthwaite] and Keano [Keane] out, so he’s got a bit to do,” said Moyes from Finch Farm.
“But he played really well the other night. While we’re short of right-backs, he might be the best option in the building.”
Patterson has returned to training on the back of his latest injury setback and even made the bench on Tuesday night.
Hearing his manager suggest a centre-back is the best option to play at right-back is far from a glowing endorsement for the 24-year-old.
Patterson may have one final chance to salvage his Everton career
Without knowing whether Keane is fit enough to play, it leaves a lot of room for speculation over Everton’s starting XI to face Forest.
James Garner played at right-back against Bournemouth, but he will now be required in midfield following Iroegbunam’s suspension.
How is David Moyes going to get around possibly missing Michael Keane with all of these midfield absences? 😩
Moyes has a real Everton puzzle he is needing to solve over the coming hours, with Patterson’s future on Merseyside potentially set to become very clear.
The Scotland international is currently the only senior right-back available, but he could face watching the game from the sidelines again.
Either way, it is apparent what areas Everton need to add to over the summer.
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