Allardyce confirms Coleman comeback

Sam Allardyce has delivered some welcome good news by confirming Seamus Coleman will be included in the squad for Wednesday’s game against Leicester.

Coleman has been a huge miss for Everton over the past 10 months, not just for his rampaging runs down the right but also his burgeoning leadership abilities and influence in the dressing room.

The Ireland international played 60 minutes for the U23 side last week - his first taste of football since suffering that sickening leg break against Wales in Dublin last March.

After coming through that game unscathed Coleman has now been given the green light to return to the senior matchday squad, though Allardyce says he will be patient with the 29-year-old’s recovery.

“Seamus is training with us regularly and is in the squad for Wednesday now.

“It seems that, touch wood, hopefully from here on in he can have an injury-free until the end of the season. He’s a very important player as we know.

”If and when he does play he needs time, he’s been out for an awful long time as is the same with Yannick. He’s had such a long period of time out he can’t be expected to hit his top form immediately.

”But it’s very important to have him back with his influence not just as a player but as a person and a human being.”

Allardyce also confirmed that Luke Garbutt will be included in the squad as the Toffees boss bids to solve the team’s left-back conundrum.

Garbutt wasn’t included in Everton’s 25-man squad last September, meaning he was unable to play until the window re-opened at the start of the month.

With Leighton Baines still sidelined, Cuco Martina struggling and no new arrival on the horizon, Garbutt looks set to get his chance.

“We’ve put him [Garbutt] in the squad, he’s been out of it since the start of the season so we’ve put him in there to have a look at him and time will tell on how we think he progresses.”