Updated / Monday, 2 Mar 2026 15:14
Seamus Coleman looks likely to be in contention for the Republic of Ireland's World Cup play-off with Czech Republic after Everton manager David Moyes played down an injury picked up in training last week.
The veteran defender has struggled to make any impact with his club this year.
He turned back the clock with two imperious performances for Ireland in the World Cup qualifiers with Portugal and Hungary, playing 150 minutes in three days.
But he lasted just 10 minutes of a game away to Manchester United the following week and hasn’t played since.
The 37-year-old recovered from a hamstring problem to take a place on the bench in January matches, yet he was absent last Saturday as the Toffees won away to Newcastle.
Moyes revealed a niggle picked up in training last week ruled Coleman out, and he will also miss their clash with Burnley on Tuesday.
However, the Scot does not expect Coleman to be out long-term.
"Seamus Coleman picked up a little bit of a nick on Friday. He missed out at the weekend with a little bit of a nick, he won't be available for this game but we're hoping it's not going to be too long," Moyes said today ahead of Tuesday’s fixture.
Ireland face Czech Republic on Thursday 26 March, with the former Sligo Rovers man still expected to be included providing he recovers in time.
Everton have matches with Arsenal \[14 March\] and Chelsea \[21 March\] before the international week.
The dilemma for Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson will be whether to call on Coleman to start the crunch match in Prague with such a lack of game time in the build-up.
Evan Ferguson looks likely to miss out due to ankle problem having not played since January.
Josh Cullen is out long-term but Adam Idah is hoping of recovering from a groin problem.