He may have spent most of this season on the sidelines, but it seems abundantly clear that Seamus Coleman still plays a pivotal role at Everton.
The Merseyside club have pulled off nervy last-gasp escapes from relegation over the past two seasons, and the early signs this season were that it would follow a similar path - even before they were hit with a ten-point deduction for breaching financial regulations.
Since that points deduction was confirmed, however, things have taken an almost miraculous uptick for Everton.
After a 2-0 win at Burnley on Saturday evening, Everton now sit on four successive Premier League wins, and - if they continue their current form - they look on course to finish comfortably clear of the relegation zone even with the points deduction taken into account.
Though Seamus Coleman has only seen game time once in the Premier League this season, the influence of the Everton captain is still an essential element of the club's recent success - with stand-in skipper James Tarkowski confirming as much after Saturday's win over Burnley.
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James Tarkowski says Seamus Coleman's leadership is pivotal in Everton dressing room
"I want to stay consistent for as long as I can"
James Tarkowski on his form and says Séamus Coleman is a 'terrific' leader 📈💪 pic.twitter.com/k7x4LwjJ3j— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 16, 2023
England centre-back Tarkowski has taken the Everton armband in Seamus Coleman's absence. The 31-year-old has hit an impressive run of form recently - as have plenty of his teammates - and he credits much of the team's success to the club captain.
When asked by Sky Sports about the experienced players in the Everton dressing room, Tarkowski instantly jumped to Coleman as a standout example, saying he had "never seen" a leader quite like the Ireland skipper:
We've had a tough couple of seasons - last season [particularly] for me myself. But there's a real unified group here.
We've got a great leader in Seamus Coleman, who really marshalls the dressing room. I'm just supporting him from the side, because he's a terrific leader. I've never seen anyone quite like him.
But we have got other big characters in there as well - Jordan Pickford, Idrissa Gana Gueye, [Dominic] Calvert-Lewin - there's loads to mention.
It's a real group game - it's not just about the individuals, it is a real group game. I think today shows that with the lads who came in and played so well.
The glowing positivity with which anyone who works with Seamus Coleman speaks of him is a testament to his immense character, and he continues to play a crucial role in Everton's recent turnaround even from the sidelines.
It's been a long road back for Coleman after his latest injury setback, but he did manage to play over an hour of last week's victory over Newcastle - his first minutes of the season.
He now looks set to return to an Everton side in their best form in years - news that can only be good for Irish fans.
Everton now sit seven points clear of the relegation zone, after a truly outstanding switch up in form of late.
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