Gareth Barry

Just as Everton seemed to be nearing the end of their injury problems to begin the season, unfortunately a new issue has reared up for Frank Lampard.

Nathan Patterson has been fantastic for the Blues throughout the beginning of the campaign, putting in brilliant defensive displays especially in recent weeks as the club have tightened up at the back. The youngster had to wait for his opportunity in the side, but Seamus Coleman's absence at the beginning of the season opened a door which the 20-year-old gladly stepped through.

However, earlier this week the right-back was stretchered in the first half of Scotland's win over Ukraine. He returned to Finch Farm to be further assessed by his club after officially dropping out of his international squad on Thursday evening, with many fans fearing the defender could be set for an extended spell on the sidelines.
Certainly this would be a blow for Lampard. Not only would he be without one of his most impressive and dynamic players in the side for a little while, but the solid defence that he has built up over recent weeks will also be forced to change - which is not ideal.
But, according to Gareth Barry, there are a few options facing the manager to replace Patterson for the time-being. The most obvious of those would be to keep the same system and bring Coleman back into the side as a like-for-like swap.
Some supporters have levelled concerns around the defenders age and his ability to both attack and defend, but this isn't the first time that he'll want to prove people wrong. Adding more leadership to the back line and a willing player with potentially a chip on his shoulder might not be the worst thing.
Aside from Coleman, in terms of keeping the same system at least, it seems that Lampard would be relying on potential returns from injury. It's not yet clear on the exact time-frame of Mason Holgate's recovery, for example, but the Everton website currently has him listed as being back in October.