Frank Lampard explains Nathan Patterson’s Everton situation as he still awaits debut after move from Rangers

Frank Lampard explained that it hasn’t been the right time for Nathan Patterson to make his Everton debut.

The right-back joined the Toffees for a fee of up to £16 million with add-ons from Rangers during the January transfer window.

However, Patterson is still to make an Everton appearance.

His only outing the royal blue has come for the under-23s in a 1-0 defeat of Tottenham.

Everton are currently in the mire, having slipped to 16th in the table and won just one of their past 15 Premier League games.

Lampard believes the experience of captain Seamus Coleman is currently needed - although he has been impresed by Patterson since taking over as manager.

“I’ve been impressed with Nathan,” said Lampard.

“It’s not been easy to be fair to the players. They need to train well but when you can’t see them in matches - I’ve seen bits of Nathan previously - and then revert to the situation we are in, my duty is to make sure we develop young players and find the right time for them to play.

“So far in two games, that hasn’t been right time but I’m very pleased to work with him.

“People think I love sticking young players in my teams. I do when they deserve it.

“I’m not saying he doesn’t deserve it but, at the minute, he’s in a position where the captain of the club Seamus has been so impressive since I’ve been here and for a long time at the club.

“He needs to work, keep developing, the club have signed him for the future as well as now.

“I will work with Nathan very closely and my staff - who work with the young players in particular - and when he gets his opportunity, I want to see him take it.”