Report: ‘Special’ player is looking in excellent shape in Everton training, could start opening game of PL season

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January signing Nathan Patterson is now fully recovered from his fitness issues and is impressing in pre-season Everton training.

The Liverpool Echo claim that Patterson is one of a number of players who are looking excellent in Frank Lampard’s first pre-season in charge.

The Scot could even be in line to start Everton’s first game of the new Premier League season, given Seamus Coleman is recovering from summer surgery.

Patterson impressing in Everton training

Patterson should have a big future in the game and it was a coup for Everton to get his signing over the line earlier this year.

But he has just not been able to show what he can do because of the fitness issues which have dogged his fledgling Everton career so far.

Coleman has been an incredible servant to the club and will be doing everything he can to start that first game of the season.

That sees them host Lampard’s former club Chelsea, who the Toffees defeated last season in a match which breathed new life into their survival bid.

Former Rangers campaign Barry Ferguson expected Patterson to make a splash in England and told the Daily Record: “He’s that special.

“When he’s fully matured this boy is going to be an absolute machine and I can’t wait to see him make his mark on the English game.

“He reminds me of a young Alan Hutton. If anything Nathan is maybe even an ever better player at the same age.”

It could be a big season next time around for Patterson, who will hope to show what he can do now he is settled at Goodison Park, with a full pre-season behind him.