Ronald Koeman has arrived at Everton, and along with preaching patience and cautious optimism, he has relayed some pretty bad news for Ireland. Seamus Coleman was expected to miss today's season opener against Spurs with a foot injury, but now its been confirmed that the injury is worse than first feared.
Everton have confirmed that Coleman will miss "several weeks" with the injury, which will put him in serious danger of missing Ireland's World Cup qualifier against Serbia in Belgrade on September 5.
Coleman arrived at Goodison in a brace this afternoon:
Seamus Coleman arrives at Goodison ahead of Everton v Spurs @LivEchoSport @ToffeesNews @LivEchoEFC pic.twitter.com/bAWQSVUQ0f
— Jason Roberts (@spikeysnapperJ) August 13, 2016
Coleman is expected to take over the Irish captaincy for these qualifiers, following his star turn with the armband in THAT game against Italy.
In better news, James McCarthy starts for Everton, as he must grapple with the odd situation of playing under somebody other than Roberto Martinez.
TEAM NEWS! Here's our XI and subs to face @spursofficial to start the @premierleague 2016/17 season. #EFCmatchday pic.twitter.com/Wd1gg4ScXQ
— Everton (@Everton) August 13, 2016
Some nifty graphic work from Everton, there.
From an Irish point of view, it's Cyrus Christie's time to shine.