Everton boss Sean Dyche has welcomed Seamus Coleman back into training with Everton but admits that the Ireland captain will still be out for some time.
Coleman has not played for club or country since a season-ending injury away to Leicester City last May, forcing him to miss the last 12 Premier League games for Everton also also sit out the June, September and October international windows.
Everton have been been determined not to rush him back into action so Dyche has urged caution, even though Coleman is back in with the main group.
“Seamus is on the grass for the first time with us but he’s had one day,” Dyche said today ahead of the Merseyside derby. “But he needs time after a long period out.”
Meanwhile, Matt Doherty has backed his fellow Wolves man Joe Hodge to make the step-up at international level.
Hodge is already established with the Ireland U21s, captain for the current campaign which has yielded three wins from three games. He has been touted as one of the players in line for promotion to the senior squad and Doherty sees that coming to pass for his club-mate.
“I’ve been impressed with Hodgey so far, with what I’ve seen,” Doherty said.
“He’s obviously not the biggest, most dominating player in the world, but he makes up for it with how hard he works. He’s nice and tidy on the ball.
“When he was playing last year there was a chance he would be called up to the Ireland senior squad, and I don’t think that’ll be far off for him at all. When that does happen, he’ll be a welcome addition.
