Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill has said that he has complete confidence in Séamus Coleman’s ability to shine at the European Championships despite the hamstring injury that is set to keep him out of the Everton side again this weekend.
“Séamus is not a concern,” said O’Neill at this morning’s launch of the FAI’s Sports Direct sponsored Soccer Summer Schools programme. “I know what he can do in terms of his form. He is a top quality player and absolutely vital for us.
“He has been plagued by injury and, I don’t know, maybe has come back too quickly at times but players do that sometimes, I am not saying that it has been down to the manager.
“He is a quality player, though, and if he is fit, he will be great for us in the tournament; I have absolutely no doubt about that. He has set such high, massively brilliant standards and he is as good a full- back as there at the moment in European football. I have the utmost regard for him.”
O'Neill makes it pretty clear that Coleman will travel to France even if he were not to play for his club again this season whereas, he suggests, Harry Arter could do with showing that he has recovered from the Achilles problem that has sidelined him in recent weeks before the finals
“Ideally it would be great for Harry to play in some matches before the end of the season. I have spoken to him recently and he is desperate to get game-time but we will play it by ear. If he gets in and feels pretty good, that will be good news. If not, that would be a big disappointment.”
He reiterated, meanwhile, that Keiren Westwood is in very much in contention for a place on the plane to France. "There is always room for Kieren," he said. "I had him at club level and know what he can do. The last time I wanted Rob Elliot, who was in the form of his life, to geta full game and for Darren Randolph to get one too with, perhaps, David Forde getting 15 minutes. Sometimes, though, the best-laid plans don't work out and it was a terrible shame that Rob was injured."
