Sean Dyche 'slaps' his own player to cause uproar at Everton team dinner

Everton manager Sean Dyche reportedly SLAPPED defender Nathan Patterson during the teams recent training camp in Portugal.

The Toffees, who are 16th in the Premier League and four points above the relegation places at present, have endured a difficult campaign.

Deducted 10 points, which was then reduced to 6, Dyche's attempt to make a joke with the 22-year-old were said to be well-natured and taken in jest.

According to the Daily Mail, fellow defender James Tarkowski is said to have acted as a peacemaker, with the former Burnley manager connecting more 'forcefully' than first intended.

Patterson is said to have left the ordeal feeling embarrassed before Tarkowski stepped in to quell any further tension between the pair.

Dyche is also thought to have quickly apologised to Patterson for his wrongdoing.

Sources close to club also indicate there was no major bust-up, claiming the incident on Wednesday was a joke that simply backfired.

The Toffees are said to have continued training on Thursday and Friday before flying back to Merseyside.

Everton defender Nathan Patterson (Image: Getty).

Everton spent the week in southern Portugal due to a break that next sees them play Bournemouth on March 30.

The former Burnley boss had hoped the change of scene would lift the spirits of his squad, who are currently on a run of 11 league games without victory.

“It’s frustrating for myself and I’m sure for all involved with Everton Football Club whether you’re players, staff, fans, everyone involved because – some people disagree but I think the performances have been generally good – I’m amazed we haven’t won in the last 11 games with the performances we’ve had," the 52-year-old recently told club media.

“You think back to the Tottenham game away and I think it’s almost impossible. West Ham at home, Manchester United, I’ve never been with a team who dominated like that.

“We get nothing out of those game, there’s just three, there are other performances as well. There’s a lot of good in those performances, my assistant Woany has a saying: ‘There has to be a future in what you’re doing’ and there clearly is."