Coleman could be fit for Ireland's opener

Lyndon Lloyd , 30 August, 14comments | Jump to most recent

Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill is quietly confident that Seamus Coleman could be fit in time to face Serbia in Monday's World Cup qualifier.

The Everton defender has missed the first four games of the new season with the Blues because of an ankle injury but resumed light training away from the rest of his country's squad yesterday.

He is reportedly responding well but James McCarthy continues to be monitored for the groin problem that kept him out of Ronald Koeman's squad against Stoke City last Saturday.

It is not clear whether or not he has undergone a full scan on the injury but he won't play in Ireland's friendly against Oman this week and is highly doubtful for the Serbia game.

Reader Comments (14)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer

Liam Reilly
1 Posted 30/08/2016 at 08:24:54

Surprised Coleman or McCarthy even travelled. If they've not played for their club whilst injured, then they shouldn't be allowed to participate.

Long term injury in waiting.

Ernie Baywood
2 Posted 30/08/2016 at 09:01:40

I'd be happy for him to gain fitness in an international. Holgate's form means we don't need to rush him back in.

Shane Corcoran
3 Posted 30/08/2016 at 10:05:45

Uh oh, I feel a predictable outburst coming on.

Kevin Gillen
4 Posted 30/08/2016 at 10:13:03

What Liam said. Can't believe either of them travelled.

Paul Kennedy
5 Posted 30/08/2016 at 10:18:51

Let him go. Match sharpness is very important, he needs to get back to peak very quick or his place in the club side will be gone!!

On another tack, the new manager of England has said he only wants players who are playing first team football... so how has Sturridge got in?

And now he is looking to bring in players who are able to obtain a UK passport... great incentive for our young players, I think not!!

Mark Fitzgerald
6 Posted 30/08/2016 at 10:33:06

Pretty sure that the players still have to travel and be assessed by the international team's medical staff.

Keith Harrison
7 Posted 30/08/2016 at 13:03:21

If they haven't played club football, they shouldn't even be considered for Internationals. This is bloody lunacy, and Everton should put their foot down over it.

'Light training' means he will play, get injured and be out for months. Seamus cannot possibly be match-fit, even if his general fitness levels are good.

Other clubs, and SAF in particular, used to withhold their fully-fit players (Giggs anyone?) Let's hope McCarthy's 'surgery' is a success and he can play on Sunday eh!

Send McGeady in a Seamus mask – or is he not in the squad because he isn't injured?

Eivind Nyhus
8 Posted 30/08/2016 at 13:17:12

This pisses me off. Stay home, Coleman – until you are fit enough to start a game for us, you shouldn't play any games. Too often our players, specially Irish ones, come back banged up after international duty.

If I were a manager, I'd write 'no international football within a month of injury' into all my players contracts. Not the slightest bit realistic, but it should be.

Gary Edwards
9 Posted 30/08/2016 at 16:35:42

Seems like Seamus has his priorities arse-about-face. Bye bye.

Paul Conway
10 Posted 30/08/2016 at 19:20:02

I am sure RK would have had an input into his participation. Maybe he gave his OK when he liased with O'Niell. Maybe Coleman was on the brink of a return, but was selected out, as the team seems to he doing fine.

This is a chance for him to taste international football and can only he another positive in our productive start to the season. Hope he comes back unscathed!

Shane Corcoran
11 Posted 30/08/2016 at 19:29:29

What if, hypothetically, he only just missed out on the Stoke game and had it been Sunday he was good to go?

Seven days later why wouldn't he play?

Let the Everton physios have a look with their Irish counterparts and Seamus gets some much needed game time and another important player gets to play for his country.

Michael Polley
12 Posted 30/08/2016 at 20:32:00

FFS don't risk it. I can see him aggravating the injury if he plays.

Andy Crooks
13 Posted 30/08/2016 at 21:36:45

Gary, Seamus Coleman has his priorities right. Get fit to play for EVERTON and Ireland. Both, together, getting Seamus spot on.

Pete Edwards
14 Posted 30/08/2016 at 21:47:29

I would guess one of the Everton medical team will be with him over seeing whatever fitness tests or medical the Irish put him through and would have to agree to let him stay and play.

Add Your Comments

In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.

» Log in now

Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.

About these ads