There has been an update regarding the fitness of Everton defender, Nathan Patterson...

What's the word?

According to Scottish Daily Express, the promising full-back is reportedly not facing an extended period on the sidelines, despite having only recently been stretchered off while in action for Scotland in the victory over Ukraine in midweek.

National team coach Steve Clarke had suggested at the time that it "doesn't look too good" for the former Rangers starlet, although this latest report suggests that the youngster's issue may not be as bad as first feared.

The report reveals that the injury to the 11-cap gem is 'not serious', with the suggestion being that he will only face a short spell on the treatment table.

Huge for Lampard

That will no doubt be music to the ears of Toffees boss Frank Lampard, with the former England international likely to have been dreading yet another lengthy absence for a player who has been a vital asset for the club so far this term.

Having been plucked from Ibrox on a £16m deal in January, Patterson had initially found it hard to break into the side at the tail end of last term, failing to make a single Premier League outing following that move to Merseyside.

The right-back's solitary appearance came in an FA Cup triumph over non-league side Boreham Wood, with the £16k-per-week gem having suffered an ankle injury which effectively ruled him out of contention for much of his first six months in England.

It has been a different story in the early weeks of the new season, however, with the £12.6m-rated ace having started all seven top-flight games for the Goodison outfit thus far, impressing with his relentless displays down the right flank.

The Glasgow-born menace has notably averaged a remarkable record of 4.0 tackles per game so far this term in the league, having also completed 2.7 clearances and 1.3 interceptions, proving just what an asset he is in a defensive sense.

That quality was only recently lauded by Lampard following the derby draw with Liverpool earlier this month, with the 44-year-old praising his player's "excellent" showing in a game of such huge magnitude, with that only emphasising just what a vital player Patterson has already become at the club.

It will then be real positive news to learn that the 6-foot sensation could be set to return sooner rather than later, with that likely to be a huge boost for a side who are looking to improve upon last season's relegation scrap and put their woeful injury record to one side.