David Moyes is weighing up whether to hand Seamus Coleman the honour of leading Everton out on Sunday, in the club’s final Premier League game at Goodison Park.
And he has confirmed that the Ireland ace will remain with the club next season when it moves into its brand new stadium on the Liverpool waterfront.
Coleman hasn’t started a game for Everton since the St Stephen’s Day stalemate with Manchester City.
His late cameo appearance last week against Fulham was his first piece of action since that game, but the significance of Sunday’s fixture against Southampton could force Moyes into a rare emotionally-driven decision.
“It does come into my thinking,” he said, when asked if Coleman could lead the side out as captain.
“What I will say is Sunday is a game where we're going to do everything we can to prepare the best and play the best we can.”
Coleman has made 427 appearances for Everton since his 2009 move from League of Ireland side Sligo Rovers.
And he will have a chance to extend that figure next season, despite the fact that he turns 37 in October.
Moyes confirmed: “Seamus will stay next season, without doubt. Seamus will be part of the group. I need him here.
“His leadership, the message he has here amongst the dressing room and between the players is so strong, it'd be wrong of me to let him go. One way or the other, Seamus will be here next season.
“Seamus is actually a little bit more than being a player here. He's going into a position where he's helped the Club through some of the most difficult periods.
“He's never been to another club, we put him out on loan at Blackpool when he first came but other than that he's been here and he's played the games.”
Moyes left reporters in no doubt about his thoughts on Coleman, when asked if he considered the Donegalman a ‘modern-day legend’.
“I think so,” replied the Scot. “Legends are normally the ones who win FA Cups and are involved in league titles and stuff like that but I think there are other things with Seamus.
“His professionalism, him as a human being... I think in some ways he's carried Everton a little bit through the difficult periods. I know he's certainly done that in the dressing room.”
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