Everton full-back Nathan Patterson is facing around six weeks on the sidelines after suffering knee ligament damage.

The 21-year-old, who had only returned from an ankle injury before the World Cup break, was forced off an hour into Tuesday’s 4-1 home defeat to Brighton.

There had initially been fears the Scotland international was facing a much longer spell on the sidelines after his right leg twisted awkwardly attempting to challenge Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma.

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But while scans have allayed fears over more significant damage, Patterson is still expected to be absent until March.

Frank Lampard confirmed at a press conference on Thursday: “He’s out for six weeks unfortunately. It’s a knee medial ligament injury.

“It’s a big blow. A freak injury for us. He’ll be back.”

Patterson signed for Everton from Rangers in the January transfer window last season for a deal worth an initial £11million.

He has made 13 appearances in the Premier League this season for Lampard’s struggling side, who sit just a point above the drop zone after their latest defeat.

Everton are next in action at Manchester United in the FA Cup on Friday.

Yerry Mina has returned to full health after being sick while Lampard said Anthony Gordon was “coming to the end” of his own illness. Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be assessed after fatigue following the Brighton defeat.

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