Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill has hailed the return of captain Seamus Coleman.
Coleman is set to make his first Ireland appearance in a year this evening in a friendly against Turkey in Antalya.
The Killybegs man broke a leg in last March’s World Cup qualifier against Wales and has only recently been restored to Everton’s starting XI.
O’Neill can only wonder what might have been had Coleman been available for the World Cup play-off against Denmark that ended in a 5-1 drubbing in Dublin.
“I sometimes think he doesn’t know himself how influential he is, not only in the dressing room but on the field of play which is the main part,” said O’Neill.
“I think it almost goes without saying that we missed him. Had he been fit, I think we may have made it, who knows? He would have given us a much better opportunity.
“I’ve said to him, and I’d rather say it when he’s not in the room, he’s an absolutely world class player.”
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