Everton ace Seamus Coleman ‘will be missed’ by Ireland ahead of grudge match v France
Everton defender Seamus Coleman “will be missed” by Republic of Ireland in their Euro 2024 qualifier against France, says journalist Philip Quinn.
The right-back sustained a knee ligament injury in May and has not played since, with a return to action unlikely until at least October.
Ireland will therefore be without their captain at the Stade de France on Thursday [7 September] for their crunch Group B showdown with Les Blues.
Writing in the Irish Daily Mail print edition [7 September, page 55], Quinn said: “Seamus Coleman will be missed, along with Matt Doherty, who will return after suspension on Sunday.”
Comeback close
Seeing Coleman stretchered off the pitch against Leicester City four months ago with oxygen to help him through the pain, it was easy to fear the worst.
However, it later emerged that the fan favourite did not suffer ACL damage, and thus he did not face the prospect of potentially a whole year on the sidelines.
Indeed, providing an update two weeks ago to Irish publication The 42, Coleman said he expects to be “back at it fully” within six to eight weeks from that point.
If that is the case, we can possibly look forward to seeing Coleman back on the field in October, at which point the fixtures will be coming thick and fast.
As for Ireland, they may be without one of their key men for their double-header with France and the Netherlands this month, but he will be targeting the games with Greece and Gibraltar next month for his possible comeback on the international stage.
In other Everton news, a player is on the verge of finalising an exit from Goodison Park.