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Football

26th Mar 2017

Martin O’Neill’s realistic update on Seamus Coleman has given us some hope

The comeback starts now

Patrick McCarry

Seamus Coleman is still recovering from his Saturday morning surgery but a way back must already be at the forefront of his mind.

The Ireland captain was transferred to St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin soon after suffering a double leg break in Ireland’s 0-0 draw with Wales, on Friday night.

Ireland manager Martin O’Neill was speaking to BBC Radio Five Live’s Sportsweek this morning and provided an update on Coleman. He said:

“It will take some time to heal, it’s a double break but it has been pinned up now and screwed in.

“I know the doctors and surgeons are all very, very pleased with the way the operation has gone and now it’s time for recuperation.

“I saw him the evening of the injury, he was fairly groggy. It’s a devastating blow for the lad, he was having a phenomenal season at his club and a phenomenal season for us as captain.”

The initial estimations are that Coleman will be out of action for six months. O’Neill said he would only be guessing at a return date, at this early stage, but backed Coleman to get back stronger than ever. He said:

“Even the doctors and surgeons wouldn’t be terribly sure. Sometimes there are complications afterwards and injuries can be more prolonged, other times it can be clean and clear sailing.

“It will take some time but Seamus has great determination and sometimes those things work very much in your favour, in terms of recovery.”

Coleman will spend some time in Ireland as he recovers from surgery and he will soon come under the remit of the Everton medical staff.