Mart: Give Seamus a World Cup lifeline

MARTIN O’NEILL has challenged the Republic of Ireland to give skipper Seamus Coleman a World Cup incentive as he moves closer to a comeback.

Coleman watched his team-mates train at the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday evening, having entered the final stages of recovery from the horrific double leg fracture he suffered against Wales in March.

The two sides meet again on Monday evening as the Group D campaign draws to a close.

Both Wales and the Republic are still in with a chance of automatic qualification, but are equally aware that victory for one would see the other miss out.

A second win in four days would book the Republic a play-off berth as a result of Scotland’s 2-2 draw in Slovenia, and O’Neill says his players will have Everton full-back Coleman firmly in their thoughts when they run out.

O’Neill was cautious when asked if the game gave Ireland a chance to gain revenge for the ugly Neil Taylor challenge which left Coleman facing months on the sidelines.

He said: “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, 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.

“He is making a good recovery now, but I think that when he’s ready, he will get back to the form he showed 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.”

Ireland will be able to call on Robbie Brady and James McClean again after the pair sat out Friday’s win over Moldovia through suspension.

However, Everton midfielder James McCarthy has returned to his club despite stepping up training after the knee injury which has kept him out since pre-season.