Everton have been dealt a blow in personnel after news emerged that club captain Seamus Coleman had to withdraw from the Ireland squad due to injury.
Coleman, who also captains the Irish men’s national side, had been confirmed by the Football Association of Ireland [via Liverpool Echo] as having to withdraw ahead of the 3-0 friendly defeat to England due to the ‘recurrence of a previous injury following a training session’.
The Toffees now face a nervous wait to find out the full extent of the captain’s injury after the right-back – recently hailed by Carlo Ancelotti as ‘an example for all’ – underwent a scan.
Everton have academy product Jonjoe Kenny as a backup option at right-back, whilst natural centre-half Ben Godfrey featured in a makeshift role on the right in last month’s defeat to Southampton.
It is not yet known if the injury will prevent Coleman’s contention for selection in Carlo Ancelotti’s team when the Blues return to Premier League action following the end of the international break.
Coleman had previously picked up an injury against Liverpool in mid-October but managed to return to the starting line-up for Everton’s defeat against Manchester United, playing the full 90 minutes in the process.
His latest injury appears to have resulted from an aggravation of his previous issue.
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Given the struggles in games such as the defeat to Southampton without Coleman’s presence and experience, his latest injury setback may come as a severe blow to Ancelotti’s side as they look to resume winning ways.
The manager will likely have to call upon his backup options to fill in for the 32-year-old, although Everton are not back in action until the clash with Fulham on November 21st – meaning that if the injury is an aggravation or a strain, then Coleman may be fit and available in time.
