Everton manager Sean Dyche says altercation with defender Nathan Patterson was 'nothing'

Everton manager Sean Dyche says there was "nothing" in an altercation between himself and defender Nathan Patterson.

Reports suggested Dyche hit Patterson, 22, with a "playful slap" during a warm weather training camp earlier this month, resulting in a heated row.

"I tapped him on the head like an older brother would and he didn't get the joke. It's really that simple," said Dyche, 52.

"Never let the truth get in the way of a good story. Nothing in it really."

Scotland international Patterson has played 25 times for Everton this season but his last appearance came in January.

The incident reportedly occurred during the Toffees' trip to Portugal prior to the international break with defender James Tarkowski having to step in.

Patterson played twice for Scotland during the international break, first against the Netherlands and then Northern Ireland.

Dyche hoping for quick resolution to latest charge

Dyche says he is also hoping for a quick resolution to the club's latest charge for allegedly breaching the Premier League's financial rules - and that it "comes to nothing".

Everton were docked 10 points in November, reduced to six on appeal, for breaking profit and sustainability rules in the three-year period to 2021-22 but received a second charge in January for the three years to 2022-23.

They are currently 16th in the Premier League, four points above Nottingham Forest who were themselves docked four points earlier this month.

"We're just waiting, really, like we did last time," Dyche said. "I'm sure everyone's hoping that it's fast-tracked slightly, but we'll have to wait and see.

Everton's hearing for their second Premier League charge took place this week - but the immediate timeline for any verdict is unclear.

Under the new guidelines aimed at speeding up the PSR process, the independent panel should deliver a verdict within seven days. But with Easter bank holidays in the UK, that could slip by a few days.

"I don't think anyone has concrete proof of how or which way these things will go, particularly after the first one.

"We can only give the information that's appropriate. I wasn't there, obviously, but I'm told we've given every bit of information that we can give.

"We hope that they see, accordingly, what the club has been trying to do to make sure we're within the right areas that they need us to be in. So, therefore, we'll hope that it comes to nothing."