Everton have confirmed that Seamus Coleman is doubtful ahead of Sunday afternoon’s Premier League meeting with Manchester United. The 31-year-old has a rib injury and is on the recovery path, but he’s unlikely to feature at Old Trafford.
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Coleman has only just returned to light training and ‘will be assessed’ before a decision is made on Sunday, but it’s hard to see him making the matchday squad. The defender has made just one appearance for Everton since early-October and has spent the entirety of December injured.
Duncan Ferguson need not risk the Republic of Ireland international if he isn’t 100% fit on Sunday, so he’s likely to continue with Djibril Sidibe at right-back. Leighton Baines should keep his place on the bench as cover. Everton won’t rush Coleman back, especially considering how poor he was prior to his injury.
The 31-year-old lost his place in the side in October after being sent off in Everton’s 1-0 defeat to Burnley (October 5), but he was already being criticised by supporters for below-par performances.
Coleman would have likely lost his place in the starting lineup regardless, so Everton’s latest injury update changes little to their squad.