“We will just have to adapt.”
Stephen Kenny’s Republic of Ireland side may have to go into battle against France without one of their key men as they await injury news.
Seamus Coleman has picked up a thigh strain that may rule the captain out of their Euro 2024 opener against the 2022 World Cup finalists.
When you prepare to face the likes of Kylian Mbappe and other international superstars, you want all of your best players available, but Kenny was forthright in revealing his concern over his skipper’s availability.
“At the moment I don’t have 100% clarity on Séamus. He would be part of our plans, for sure, so I’m just waiting to see how the situation goes. I’ll be clearer [on Friday] when we see how he is.
“It would be ideal to have him but regardless we have the capacity to put in strong performances. We will just have to adapt.
Kenny watched Coleman play for Everton against Brentford recently and reckons the veteran defender is back to his best.
“Seamus is probably in his best form of the last two years as he had that intermittent hamstring injury,’ he said.
“People thought he was getting old but it was never about that. He needed a run of frequent training and regular matches in the Premier League have been good for him,” said Kenny.
“If Coleman misses out, John Egan will captain the team with Dara O’Shea continuing in defence.”
Gavin Bazunu is set to keep his number one spot after being rested against Latvia on Wednesday night. Asked if Bazunu would face France.
“I think Gavin has been consistently playing for us in a lot of the main games. But it is only fair that I speak to the team before I reveal that publicly.”
Kenny absolved Caoimhín Kelleher of any blame for the two Latvian goals.
“Watching the match back with Caoimhín he had no chance for that incredible first goal. The second goal, on the sidelines my initial instinct was he could have done better but the ricochet from Nathan Collins from point-blank range made it extremely difficult.
“I would completely absolve Caoimhín from any responsibility on that second goal.”
Related links:
- Ireland vs Latvia: Player ratings as Evan Ferguson scores in 3-2 win
- Shay Given talks about GAA, supporting Donegal and ‘sweeper keepers’
- Expectation soars as Evan Ferguson captures Irish footballing imagination
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