By David Lynch, Merseyside Correspondent

23rd May, 2023 | 11:59am

Sources: Everton hit by shattering Nathan Patterson blow

Nathan Patterson will miss Everton’s decisive final-day clash with Bournemouth with a hamstring injury, sources have told Football Insider.

The Scot was forced off in the first half of the Toffees’ dramatic weekend meeting with Wolves, which saw them claim a 1-1 draw at Molineux thanks to a 99th-minute Yerry Mina goal.

Sean Dyche later said of Patterson and teammate Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who was also withdrawn early: “We’ll just have to wait and see, it’s too early yet.

“It will probably be on Monday when they settle down that we’ll know the true nature.”

Football Insider understands that further assessment of Patterson’s injury has shown a relatively minor hamstring issue that should sideline him for between three and four weeks.

But, while that won’t bring any long-term consequences for the defender, it means he is guaranteed to miss out on Sunday’s crunch game.

Everton welcome already safe Bournemouth to Goodison Park sitting 17th in the Premier League and knowing that a win will ensure they avoid relegation at the expense of Leeds United and Leicester City.

Lose, however, and they could be leapfrogged by either team and face dropping down to the Championship.

News of Patterson‘s injury means Dyche is now facing a major selection headache at right-back for the game, with club captain Seamus Coleman already sidelined by a knee problem.

Ben Godfrey was also recently described by the manager as “touch and go” for the final game of the season as he continues to battle a groin issue that has kept him out of action since April.

That could mean Mason Holgate comes into contention for what would be his sixth Premier League start of the campaign.

In other news, Everton have made use of a contract clause to extend Abdoulaye Doucoure’s stay at the club by 12 months.