Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill tells squad to beat Wales for Seamus Coleman
Monday 9 October 2017 19:43, UK
Martin O'Neill has urged his Republic of Ireland players to win Monday's World Cup Qualifier against Wales - live on Sky Sports - for injured Seamus Coleman.
The 28-year-old Everton defender suffered a horrendous double leg break when the teams met in Dublin in March.
Coleman remains on the injured list but was in Cardiff on Sunday to watch his international team-mates train.
To keep alive their chances of reaching the finals in Russia, the Irish must beat Wales to reach the play-offs.
O'Neill says that if Ireland do go on to qualify for the final stages in 2018, it would provide Coleman with an added incentive to return to full fitness as soon as possible.
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The first meeting, in which Coleman was hurt, ended goalless and the Ireland boss said of the return fixture: "I don't know about revenge.
"But certainly I think the view among the players is that if Russia was available to us and we could make it there, I would think Seamus would be very much at the forefronts of our minds.
"He has obviously been a class player, a world-class player and he's been essential for us. We have missed him and it would be nice to go there.
"He is making a good recovery now, but I think that when he's ready, he will get back to the form he showed both for club and country.
"And it would be nice if, by the time he is back, that he has got something to cheer on the international level."
O'Neill also realises that Monday's hosts have Gareth Bale injured.
O'Neill added: "He is a top-class player and he will be missed by Wales.
"It would be the same if (Lionel) Messi was missing for Argentina. Bale is a world-class player and he definitely will be missed by Wales.
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"We've had our absentees in the past ourselves and we've had to cope, and Wales have had to cope without Gareth Bale before."
Ahead of Monday's game, Ireland will be able to call upon Robbie Brady and James McClean who are available again following suspension.
However, midfielder James McCarthy has returned to Everton despite stepping up training following the knee injury which has kept him out since pre-season.
