Everton handed fitness boost ahead of Arsenal clash as Seamus Coleman spotted in Finch Farm training
Everton have been handed a potential fitness boost ahead of their Premier League clash against Arsenal on 17 September after club captain Seamus Coleman was pictured training on the grass at Finch Farm.
The Republic of Ireland defender was stretchered off in his club’s 2-2 Premier League with Leicester City at the beginning of May and had been recovering from a knee injury since then.
The Goodison Park veteran wasn’t considered fit enough to feature for Ireland over the international break as he steps up his fitness but could potentially return to the Everton matchday squad against the Gunners on Saturday 17 September.
In new training pictures taken by Everton at Finch Farm on Friday 8 September, posted on their official Twitter account, Coleman was spotted training alone and running as he continues his recovery from the knee injury.
The tweet read: “Back on the grass!
“Captain Coleman took a positive step this week at Finch Farm as he continues his recovery from injury.”
Coleman has been a big miss for Everton both on and off the field, with the Toffees desperately short of leadership in these early stages of the season.
The Republic of Ireland international is a real leader, and he has proven time and again across his lengthy career at Goodison Park that even though he may be reaching the twilight years of his career, he can still influence matters on the pitch.
And Toffees boss Sean Dyche really could do with his services given how his players are really bereft of confidence after just one point from their four opening matches.
The Merseyside outfit have been unfortunate with injuries lately, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin joining the sidelined list of players following his facial issue suffered against Aston Villa but the striker was pictured in training this week too handing Dyche will some crucial tools against the Gunners after the international break.
It’s an incredibly challenging game for Dyche and his men and one in which Arsenal will be expected to pick up the three points.
But, Everton aren’t strangers to throwing spanners in the works when the Gunners come to town as they found out last season in February and also the season before last under Rafa Benitez.
The Toffees need to start picking up points now and a win over Arsenal after the international break will provide a stunning and much-needed confidence boost to kickstart their campaign.
The game may come too soon for Coleman, but his involvement in and around the dressing room could prove absolutely crucial in their quest to pick up their first win of the campaign.
In other Everton news, Alan Myers has shared his stance on whether Everton will explore a free transfer opportunity to replace Demarai Gray.