On the day that Neil Taylor was given a two-match ban for breaking Seamus Coleman's leg, the Irish captain has given his first interview since his horrifying ordeal at the Aviva Stadium. Speaking to Everton's official website, Coleman confirmed that he has returned to the club's Finch Farm training ground to step up his rehab, after spending a month recovering in Killybegs.
Coleman revealed that he considered reactivating his social media accounts to thank everybody for sending on their kind wishes, but decided to wait for the Everton interview instead.
I’m not on social media. It was tempting to go back on to thank everyone but I thought I’d wait to come back here to do the interview and just to say thank you for the support I’ve had from the two management teams, from the doctors, the surgeons and all the fans back home and here.
Until something like this happens you don’t always realise how fortunate you are to play for this Club, to play for the national team and to have all that support behind me.
Every little card meant so much to me and my family. All those well-wishes will get me through this tough period because people have gone out of their way to send cards, to send prayers and it definitely gets you through it.
He revealed that the front door of his family home has been revolving, such has been the number of well-wishers who have paid him a visit while he convalescing. Those who have visited include Ronald Koeman and Phil Jagielka, along with Martin O'Neill.
The manager came over to see me with Jags and a couple of staff members. Martin O’Neill came over to see me as well, so the support has been brilliant.
I can’t emphasise enough the Irish players coming to visit me in hospital for the first few days and then all the messages from the lads back here. Jags’ goal celebration was great, a nice little touch.
Sitting watching the game with my friends and hearing the fans at Old Trafford singing my song, stuff like that means a lot when you’re in the early stages of rehab and maybe a bit low. All that stuff got me through.
You can watch Coleman's full interview on the Everton website.
