Seamus Coleman 'looking forward to' challenge of returning to fitness

Seamus Coleman says he's 'looking forward to the challenge' of recovering from a double leg fracture sustained captaining his country in a World Cup qualifier against Wales last month.

The Everton defender faces a spell of at least nine months on the sidelines following an over-the-top lunge from Wales' Aston Villa defender Neil Taylor in the second half of the 0-0 draw in Dublin.

Speaking to Everton's official website in his first public interview since breaking his leg, Coleman said he's faced many challenges in his career and views his recovery as merely the latest.

“I’ve had tough journeys before in the past,” Coleman said. “It hasn’t been a smooth journey to play for Everton and to captain my country.

“I’m a fighter and there’s a part of me that’s looking forward to this challenge. It’s something to start all over again and fight for.

“I’ve started with very small exercises in the gym. I’ve been doing some walking in the pool and aqua-jogging. It’s just good to be back in and around the Club and feeling like a professional footballer again.

“It was great to be around my family and friends back home but I’ve been itching to get back. It’s small steps but I’m ready to work.

“I’m really enjoying it and looking forward to the challenge ahead because it’s going to be tough but I’ve had tough journeys before and this is just another one.”

Taylor was today handed a two-game banby FIFA and will miss forthcoming ties with qualification contenders Serbia and Austria, but will return in time to face Ireland in the return game in October.

Coleman's recovery will be a much longer process, and he returned to the club this week after being given a month off by his club to begin his recuperation at home in Killybegs, Donegal.

While there, he was visited by Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill as well his club manager Ronald Koeman and captain Phil Jagielka.

“It’s been great to see everyone, people asking me how I am and how I’ve been

“The manager came over to see me with Jags and a couple of staff members. Martin O’Neill came over to see me as well, so the support has been brilliant.

“I can’t emphasise enough the Irish players coming to visit me in hospital for the first few days and then all the messages from the lads back here.”

Coleman, who joined Everton from Sligo Rovers for a fee in the region of £60,000, which rose to around €400,000 with add-ons, has his own song on Merseyside that references the bargain fee.

And he was able to watch on TV while fans sang the song during a recent 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

“Jags’ goal celebration was great, a nice little touch.

“Sitting watching the game with my friends and hearing the fans at Old Trafford singing my song, stuff like that means a lot when you’re in the early stages of rehab and maybe a bit low.

“All that stuff got me through.”