Coleman could be out weeks with injury

The news simply does.. not.. get.. better for Everton over the last few days.

Going into the international break Marco Silva must have been looking forward to getting a few players back from their assorted injuries and suspensions, but now two key players have joined the queue to the physio’s office.

Earlier this week Seamus Coleman withdrew from the Republic of Ireland’s game against Poland with an injury and then Dominic Calvert-Lewin hobbled off in the England U-21’s qualifier against Latvia just minutes after coming on as a late substitute.

Then last night Irish manager Martin O’Neill confirmed that the news for the Toffees was indeed bad.

“Seamus went for a scan, he has a little stress fracture, which is a concern.

”He could easily have got a flight home, but he stayed with the team.

”He is a great captain, a really great captain. He is inspirational and obviously we hope he is back in time for the games coming up.”

On average, stress fracture injuries to the foot can take about 6-8 weeks to heal fully, but the Blues will likely subject the fullback to a battery of tests as soon as he lands back at Finch Farm before a firmer diagnosis can be made.

Coleman has been in indifferent form over the last couple of games, especially with a number of mislaid crosses when pushing forward in attack. Jonjoe Kenny meanwhile looked steady against Championship side Rotherham United. During his extended spell starting last season when Coleman was out with a broken leg, the youngster showed that he was an adequate replacement both in defence and going forward, but on his day the Irishman remains one of the best fullbacks in the Premier League and Kenny will have to adapt quickly.