Seamus Coleman had made a very strong case to be recalled to the Ireland team this season. The Everton fullback has been in scintillating form as his club had their best start to a league season in half a century, with many calling for him to be selected ahead of Matt Doherty for the play-off against Slovakia next week.
However, those hopes were dashed yesterday.
Coleman was in the midst of yet another excellent showing in the game against Brighton, only to be withdrawn due to injury just before the hour mark. It appeared to be a hamstring issue, putting his participation in Thursday's game into doubt.
Stephen Kenny appeared at a press conference at FAI headquarters this afternoon, admitting that a hamstring issue was likely to keep Coleman out of the Slovakia game.
Seamus Coleman is not great news. I knew when I saw him pull up.
He seems to have a hamstring strain that will most likely rule him out.
Injury Update | Coleman likely to be ruled out
Stephen Kenny has confirmed that Seamus Coleman will most likely be ruled out whilst we're awaiting news on Harry Arter who has had a scan #COYBIG | #SLOIRL pic.twitter.com/tOpySZH2TO— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) October 4, 2020
He is still set to meet up with the rest of the squad to have the injury assessed.
Harry Arter is also a doubt for the fixture, meaning James McCarthy looks set to start as the holding midfielder in Slovakia.
Kevin Long has been added to the squad after Blackburn defender Darragh Lenihan was forced to withdraw due to injury, with Kenny revealing that we could see another 'one or two' call-ups in the next 24 hours.
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