In Pictures: Seamus Coleman Takes Part As Ireland Train Ahead Of The Return Leg

The absence of Seamus Coleman has been keenly felt since his injury against Wales last March, although that is not to diminish the improvement evident in Cyrus Christie, who had perhaps his best game in an Irish shirt in Copenhagen on Saturday night (barring the wild slice late on that might have ended up in Randolph's net).

That said, Coleman's return will improve Ireland immeasurably. Martin O'Neill said at the squad announcement for these playoffs that Coleman could have been fit to play a part had the Denmark games been scheduled for December, instead. these games came too early for him, but it is encouraging to see Coleman work his way back to fitness, and the latest indication of that came today as he took a minor part as the Irish squad trained at Abbottstown.

Here are some of the Sportsfile images snapped at the Irish base, featuring Stan Collymore in his new role as a journaliste for Russia Today.