Seamus Coleman's recovery from a serious knee injury is now expected to take another couple of months, with the Everton captain not returning to the side before October.
Coleman had to undergo knee surgery after he sustained the injury in the 2-2 draw at Leicester City last May, forcing him to miss the last four matches of Everton's relegation battle. It was expected that he would be fit for the new season but his recovery has extended over the entire pre-season, meaning he will now miss at least 10 matches of the new season.
While the player expressed relief that the injury wasn't a lot worse, it has proved to be bad enough in terms of its impact on the player and on Sean Dyche's injury-ravaged squad as they battle to improve on a dreadful start to the new season.
“It's feeling good and a lot better than I would have imagined coming off the pitch that night, to be completely honest with you.
“In terms of a comeback time to play, we're taking it week by week at the minute. With the way knee injuries are, and I've never had one before, they always react in different ways, but thankfully for me it's well on schedule to being back and I'd like to think in the next couple of months, definitely I will be back.
“I'd say I will miss the next international meet-up but shouldn't be too long after that and then I have a long season after that to look forward to because I feared the worst that night.”
Coleman will also miss Ireland’s Euro 2024 qualifiers next month, away to France and then at home to the Netherlands.
Reader Comments (44)
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2 Posted 23/08/2023 at 13:14:00
3 Posted 23/08/2023 at 13:21:55
4 Posted 23/08/2023 at 13:32:22
5 Posted 23/08/2023 at 13:38:58
Did Dyche run over a black cat?
6 Posted 23/08/2023 at 13:43:44
We are either cursed or fated, or both.
What's the next saga going to be?
7 Posted 23/08/2023 at 14:09:22
8 Posted 23/08/2023 at 14:22:34
9 Posted 23/08/2023 at 14:26:49
😂
10 Posted 23/08/2023 at 14:39:52
11 Posted 23/08/2023 at 15:42:34
Calvert-Lewin?
Dele Alli?
McNeil?
Iwobi?
Harrison?
Adams transfer dragging out as usual. I just don't get it. We haven't really spent since Ancelotti left. Barring Wolves, everyone else is spending.
I understand we still have 3/4 big earners we need to get off the books but what is the worst that can happen if we breach P&S Rules. A fine or possible points reduction which has never happened before and you would think easily appealed considering what Man City and Chelsea have done over last 10 to 20 years.
The sad thing is, the only hope for us this season is that there are 3 worse teams than us. The Villa performance was up there with the worst of what we have seen in the last 2 years – and that is saying something.
12 Posted 23/08/2023 at 16:23:58
The Gnonto situation was gnarly. We were the choice of the player yet internal and unpredictable circumstances prevented it. While we are left with nothing but a gentleman gambler's pride we gave it a proper go without selling Onana and not immediately going Wout One.
13 Posted 23/08/2023 at 16:38:24
The real sad thing though is, on the forums of those other teams, they will be saying:
"The only hope for us this season is that there are two other teams in addition to Everton that are worse than us!"
14 Posted 23/08/2023 at 16:40:21
Can someone tell me what the fuck is going on with incomings? We're in the same position for the last month, supposed to be signing a striker, still at square one, the same crap with Gnonto, pissing around for nothing.
Sheffield United have just agreed a fee of £18M with Villa for Archer, they've made a decision in one day, that's how you do business.
You do know Calvert-Lewin is injured? We're a total shambles, linked with loads, buy no one.
15 Posted 23/08/2023 at 16:44:58
Not gonna happen with no strikers and Michael Keane.
16 Posted 23/08/2023 at 16:54:45
17 Posted 23/08/2023 at 16:57:12
It's concerning that we are desperate to get Coleman back, when he should now be second choice. I haven't given up on Patterson, but he needs to improve his defensive game quickly.
Mykolenko is similar £12m and can't get in ahead of Ashley Young at 38. That potentially £28m on full backs who are not currently making the first team when Seamus returns. Patterson may even be dropped before that, they must be discussing it.
18 Posted 23/08/2023 at 16:57:55
19 Posted 23/08/2023 at 16:58:09
Also, in those days, players signed because they wanted to play for Everton. T&C were not that important. Now, nobody really wants to sign unless they get a long contract on stupid money ( knowing they don't deserve it).
20 Posted 23/08/2023 at 17:07:56
21 Posted 23/08/2023 at 17:10:38
22 Posted 23/08/2023 at 17:25:02
When he hangs up his boots I doubt that Seamus is the sort of gent to write a warts and all account of the decline of our club but it'd make fascinating reading.
23 Posted 23/08/2023 at 17:58:23
I cannot remember a period when we have had so much bad news concerning the Club, and I fear this will affect team spirit and morale. It's certainly affecting me, maybe things will change soon???
24 Posted 23/08/2023 at 18:02:48
In the meantime, I would try Young at right-back with Mykolenko at left-back.
25 Posted 23/08/2023 at 18:41:41
The club is a disgrace from top to bottom and if you don't see that, you are part of the problem.
26 Posted 23/08/2023 at 18:45:11
Why won't the Ginger one give Branthwaite a start? Because he doesn't trust youth, and would rather rely on far worse players who he knows. Not Michael Keane's fault, but bearing in mind he (Keane) was hawked round clubs only a month ago by Everton, he's obviously not highly rated by the management either.
If Dyche starts Keane this week, and does not give Branthwaite any minutes, regardless of the result, don't be surprised to see him off back to PSV – who have purportedly bid for him today – or even Man Utd who are also sniffing around.
A lad who was ripping up trees in Holland last season – and in their European adventures – and has played exceptionally in his 'friendly' appearances so far, does not need splinters in his arse when the team are crying out for him.
The Everton shit-show continues apace but, unless things alter drastically in the next 2 weeks, our annual last week of the season relegation avoidance celebration won't even get past March when we finally plummet the depths.
And for anyone thinking this could be a fresh reset, look at the bones of Leeds, Leicester and Southampton being picked over already before August is out. Mind you, who will be racing in for most of our presently turgid group?
27 Posted 23/08/2023 at 19:00:39
We clearly have no money,
It sounds like the club still has factions wanting to do their own deals - no doubt, bill, moshiri, thelwell, dyche each wanting different things.
Are clearly still on the naughty step for profit & sustainability - under their special measures despite sales,
Are clearly on for a long painful season.
Are clearly not an attractive proposition to 'good players'.
All that's really left is for Dyche to get sacked, so that he's had his bonus for keeping us up, and a payoff for the remainder if his contract.
Rinse and repeat.
28 Posted 23/08/2023 at 19:16:55
Howevee, we are skint so it's hard to seal deals on our crap terms of low initial payments. Selling clubs are hoping for better offers but will start to cave in.
On Branthwaite, I've considered him our most talented defender for a few years and I've been disappointed he's been held back while the likes of Holgate have gotten games. I wouldn't read too much into the fact he's not starting now though.
It may just be a sensible precaution to protect him with Patterson very immature (and now being given grief), Young not being a natural full back, Tarkowski being a poor organiser and Gueye being a hopelessly defensive screen.
The first sign of a mistake from Branthwaite and fans would be bemoaning Dyche for throwing him into the fray too soon.
Judge the squad at the end of the window. And hopefully Branthwaite will play an increasingly prominent role as the season unfolds.
29 Posted 23/08/2023 at 19:30:09
30 Posted 23/08/2023 at 19:31:46
31 Posted 23/08/2023 at 19:35:45
They won't be giving a 29 year old, who has stunk for 175 games, cost £30m and is earning £75k a week plus any more slack. Michael Keane was involved in 4 errors last Sunday. He's been involved in the team that has seen many a capitulation away from home. Enough is enough.
32 Posted 23/08/2023 at 19:55:55
33 Posted 23/08/2023 at 20:37:25
A good goal by Fulham. 4 calamities at villa where Young was more at fault for 2 of them. Pickford and Patterson for 1 and midfield for the other.
The same Keane that fracture his skull playing for us, the same Keane that played in a boot 2 sizes too big as he had a severe infection in his foot, the same Keane that scored a crucial goal against Palace and screamer against Spurs. He also scored our only goal this season which was wrongly chalked off.
Keane is an honest pro in the Mike Lyons mould. He isn't a world beater but he is better than people make out.
Have you seen enough of Branthwait to say he is ready? Ripping up trees? Did he play every game last season in the Dutch league?
The last time I watched him play for us he got the wrong side of a striker and got a red card in a crucial game.
By swapping Keane for Branthwait will that enable us to score more goals, midfield to cover runners or maybe provide quality from both fullbacks?
Without Keane in the team who is next in line for the boo boys.
After Sunday only Pickford and Tarks are assured of a shirt. Fingers crossed Keane is dropped so that trees can be ripped up at Goodison park.
34 Posted 23/08/2023 at 21:27:35
35 Posted 23/08/2023 at 21:28:41
36 Posted 23/08/2023 at 21:33:09
I know a hell of a lot more than I can post on here, but don't take my word for it, see the Echo reports, and the fans who had watched the friendlies. Of course Jarrad (it's Branthwaite by the way), did not play every game, he was barely 20 starting in a new country. Not sure where you read I had written we needn't get Che Adams et al because Jarrad should be in as he will solve all our problems, stop global warming, tell Orcas to stop attacking boats, and get Gana to pass straight - to one of our shirts - but I'll read back in case I did.
Keane is an honest pro, but with the turning circle of the Ark Royal, the pace of Douglas Bader, and the spatial awareness of Blind Pugh. He is not what we need right now.
37 Posted 23/08/2023 at 21:46:33
Pay almost £30M for a player, then essentially release him by not offering him new terms, utter stupidity once again in my opinion.
Keane was never the answer and certainly not with James Tarkowski! He did fine with Kurt Zouma though, ie, a lad with more pace.
Dyche has the next two league games now to save his job as far as I am concerned and, if he fails to win both, then he has to go.
That performance at Villa was a fucking disgrace, abysmal movement once again, and it was on Sean Dyche despite the many difficulties faced.
38 Posted 23/08/2023 at 21:54:24
39 Posted 23/08/2023 at 22:29:44
40 Posted 24/08/2023 at 02:18:41
41 Posted 24/08/2023 at 08:44:59
I don't read the echo or listen to radio phone ins. Are you saving the 'hell of a lot ' more for a rainy day.
We all have our opinions and to a certain extent our favourite and non favourite players. I just think the agenda against Keane is laughable when we all know the real problem is at the other end of the pitch.
Put a 25 year old Baresi or Maldini in our back 4 and we still wouldn't score goals.
Christy 35. Keane got dropped last season as Mina was fit and is a better footballer. We couldn't afford to keep Mina so off he went. We also decided against buying Coady so that leaves 2 senior centre Half's, 2 middle weight boxers masquerading as defenders in Godfrey and holdgate. A young lad just back from a good loan out in Holland.
Maybe it is time to give Branthwait a run in the team but don't put too much expectation on the young lads shoulders.
42 Posted 24/08/2023 at 09:21:51
43 Posted 24/08/2023 at 09:39:50
He may have been the closest to challenging for the ball but that doesn't mean he is at fault for it.
An assist from a throw in is bad enough. A midfield runner is unopposed running towards the box gathers the ball and knocks it passed Keane and scores. Where was the midfield?
Is Keane at fault or not tracking a midfield runner who is 70/30 fav to win the ball ahead of him?
For the first Young and Iwobi should do better at blocking the cross, nobody tracks the midfield runner and mcginn has a tap in. Keane was blamed for that by someone on here!
The 2nd Digne in acres gets yet another cross in, in a scramble Pickford arguably fouls their striker and pen is given. Is that Keane's fault.
The 3rd a throw in assist, winger runs onto the ball knocks it past Keane and scores, where is the midfield cover?
The 4th another assist from a throw in this time it was our own throw in! Similar scenario Keane closest to the ball but striker is fav to win the ball and knocks it past him and scores.
I am not totally exonerating him but a bit of perspective is needed.
It's like blaming a goalie for every goal conceded.
44 Posted 26/08/2023 at 17:17:16
Get a proper centre-forward in now, hopefully Beto; get Gueye out of that midfield, and we can start building.
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1 Posted 23/08/2023 at 13:06:58