Sean Dyche breaks silence on training camp row with Everton stars after the Toffees boss aimed a playful ‘slap’ at Nathan Patterson during a meal in a Portuguese restaurant

Sean Dyche has cooled talk of an altercation with Nathan Patterson during Everton’s recent warm-weather training camp in Portugal.

Mail Sport previously revealed the Toffees boss had playfully punched the 22-year-old during a meal in the Algarve resort of Quinta do Lago in mid-March.

Dyche’s intentions were innocuous, but the physicality of his punch left some players unimpressed with captain James Tarkowski intervening after things got heated.

The pair left the table for a while before returning to finish their meal with the rest of the crew. Dyche reportedly apologized to Patterson.

Dyche has now broken his silence on the incident ahead of the Premier League’s resumption after the international break, labeling the confrontation a ‘joke’.

Dyche playfully punched Nathan Patterson on the head during Everton’s recent training camp in Portugal

Ahead of Everton’s weekend trip to Bournemouth, Dyche said: ‘The old favourite: never let the truth get in the way of a good story.

‘There’s actually nothing in it. It was a joke. I tapped him on the head like your older brother would, but he didn’t get the joke. That’s actually it. There is nothing more.

‘But of course that wouldn’t have been sold. So when that gets out, everyone has to add layers and layers and layers to it, but it’s that simple. That was it.’

Scottish right-back Patterson was embarrassed by the early going where he struck harder than Dyche intended, and the evening was largely good-natured.

Everton sources say the incident was more likely a clumsy prank that backfired, but caused an uproar among fellow restaurantgoers.

Dyche’s punch shocked the team and James Tarkowski took him aside earlier this month to calm the situation

Dyche apologized to Patterson and Everton sources claim there was no major failure

The remainder of the overseas training camp in the Mediterranean is said to have been completed in good spirits as Everton desperately try to find improvements in their current league form.

Patterson has made 19 appearances in the Premier League this season, but has been left on the bench for the last six top-flight games.

He hopes to be involved against the Cherries on Saturday, while Dyche considers his starting options as the Toffees continue to search for a first league win this year.

Everton are currently four points clear of the Premier League relegation zone.