Richard Dunne reckons Seamus Coleman is approaching a “crossroads” in his career - but that the Everton and Ireland full-back has earned the right to decide which route to take.
The 36-year-old is back in first-team contention with the Toffees after his latest injury lay-off.
However, his appearance as an unused sub last weekend against Wolves wasn’t enough to earn him an international recall.
Coleman’s last Ireland cap came in the home defeat to England last September, when a collision with Harry Maguire saw him pick up a calf injury.
Two further knocks have meant he has played just four times at club level so far this season.
And Dunne told [Betway Insider](https://blog.betway.com/football/premier-league/richard-dunne-khusanov-will-prove-a-great-signing-for-city-1/): “In terms of Seamus Coleman, obviously age catches up with us all and you come to a stage in your career where you do come to a crossroads, and you think about whether you carry on or go in a different route.
“Seamus is probably coming to that period now, if he’s still capable I’m sure he’d love to just carry on playing, that’s what we all love doing.
“He’s one of those players where he’s earned the right to decide what he wants to do, if he decides to become a coach, I’m sure there’ll be plenty of opportunities for him.
“If he wants to carry on, there’ll be lots of clubs who will want him and I’m sure Everton will want him to stay around, then obviously he wants to step away for a bit, that's something he’s earned as well.
“I think there won’t be any sort of pressure or expectations put on Seamus, it will all be down to what he fancies doing.
“Throughout his career he’s always made good decisions, so I’m sure he will again.”
Coleman’s contract expires at the end of the season, but he isn’t the only one flying the Irish flag for Everton. Jake O’Brien has gone from being benched by Sean Dyche to first-team regular under David Moyes, albeit in an unfamiliar right-back role.
“I think Jake O’Brien has done fantastic; he’s had to wait a long time to get his opportunity to play,” said Dunne.
“He obviously had big success in France last year and scored quite a few goals for Lyon which got him the move to the Premier League. But he’s had to be patient, and he’s come into the team at the right time.
“When a new manager comes in and the first thing he does is put his trust in you as a player, you feel that confidence right away. He’ll feel like he wants to prove Moyes right and so far he’s done it.
“He’s obviously got the goal against Brentford a couple of weeks ago so if he can start adding some goals between now and the end of the season that would be just fantastic for him.
“In terms of his performances, he’s been part of a really solid defensive unit and a really improving team so fair play to him he’s done great, he’s put his head down and he’s got his opportunity.
“Now he seems to be taking it with both hands so it’s great for him.”
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