STEVE CLARKE was dealt a fresh injury blow last night ahead of the Euros just hours after it was revealed Lewis Ferguson will miss the tournament.
The former Aberdeen and Hamilton Accies midfielder has suffered an ACL injury that will keep him sidelined for several months, ending his hopes of playing in Germany.
The ex-Killie boss is facing a waiting game on Aaron Hickey who hasn't featured for Brentford since October, while Rangers' Ryan Jack is also a serious doubt too.
But in a matter of hours yesterday, Clarke suffered a huge double blow with Ferguson the first player to be officially ruled out and another potentially on the horizon.
Everton's Nathan Patterson was forced off with an injury in the latter stages of last night's 6-0 thrashing from Chelsea, sparking fears he could be the latest star to pull out.
The half-time substitute limped off with his face in his shirt after falling to the ground in pain following an attempted challenge on Ben Chillwell.
The 22-year-old lost balance as he attempted to take the ball off the Englishman and signalled to the medical team as he fell to the floor.
The incident happened in stoppage time but he was replaced by Ben Godfrey who saw out the remainder of the heavy defeat.
It will have been a worrying sight for Clarke with Hickey already a doubt for the Euros as it is.
The former Hearts defender is 'touch and go' for the tournament and Patterson will be in Clarke's plans to replace him should he not be available.
But Everton boss Sean Dyche has given a worrying update on the ex-Rangers star as he revealed he has suffered a hamstring blow just like Hickey.
And it could see Clarke looking at other options as the Toffees boss has admitted his knock "looks serious".
Speaking to the club's website last night after the game, he said: “It was a perfect storm tonight. Every mistake seemed to get punished, every goal seemed to go in.
"I think they had 14 efforts on goal, we know how many we have had, they scored six - and we got three injuries.
“That isn’t a good mix, it happens now and again in your career and lifetime in football. But that is as bad as a mix I have experienced, with the injuries.
“Jarrad, we hope, is minor, but we have to wait and see. Shay (Coleman) has pulled his groin, we don't know yet and Patto’s looks a bit more serious.
"A hamstring injury, we are going to have to wait and see - let it settle tomorrow.”
With the potential absences of Patterson and Hickey, Clarke may be forced to look at other options to cover the position.
Celtic right-back Anthony Ralston has been called upon by the Scotland boss in recent years, while veteran Stephen O'Donnell could be set for a stunning recall.
Ross McCrorie is another potential replacement as he's familiar with the Tartan Army set-up and has been recently deployed at right-back for Bristol City.
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