It seems like an age since we've seen Ireland's captain Seamus Coleman step onto a football pitch, but according to Everton manager Sam Allardyce, the Donegal man is nearing a return to top flight football.
In a press conference tonight, Allardyce confirmed the right back was back in training:
Sam Allardyce: "Seamus Coleman is due back, He has started training."
— paul joyce (@_pauljoyce) January 9, 2018
The 29-year-old has been out since suffering a horrific double leg break in Ireland’s World Cup qualifier with Wales back in March of 2017. There were fears then that the injury could be career ending so it's hugely relieving to hear the news that the full back has returned to training.
There is no date set for Coleman's return to action but we hope for his sake and Everton's that it's sooner rather than later. It will be interesting to see how the Killybegs man fits in to the erstwhile England manager's plans. He surely goes straight back into the side.
Everton have struggled defensively this season and Coleman's leadership and fight will be needed in spades if Everton are to fully recover from a dismal start to the 2017/18 campaign. The Toffees currently sit in 9th position, Allardyce having steadied the ship since taking over, but there is definitely room for defensive improvement, with the Merseyside club having the 6th worst defence in the league.
