By Salma El-Sakka
Former Republic of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman will join the national team's upcoming Nations League camp in a hybrid coaching and playing role, manager Heimir Hallgrimsson announced on Thursday. The 38-year-old full-back has been a free agent since leaving Everton at the end of last season and has not played competitively since.
Hybrid role aims to extend playing career
Coleman was not named in the 24-man squad for fixtures against Austria and Kosovo but will participate in training sessions and provide leadership support to the coaching staff. Hallgrimsson said the arrangement is designed to assess Coleman's fitness and potentially encourage him to continue his playing career. “Hopefully that will get him to start playing again. That’s our aim, to try to push him to continue playing,” the manager said.
Squad updates for Nations League double-header
Fit-again captain Nathan Collins returns to the squad alongside Harvey Vale and goalkeeper Mark Travers. Ireland travel to Linz to face Austria on November 14 before hosting Kosovo in Dublin three days later. Two victories could secure promotion to League A, while a single point may be enough for a play-off spot as the team positions itself for European Championship qualification.
Key absences and future prospects
Midfielder Josh Cullen was omitted as he builds match fitness following a lengthy lay-off. Evan Ferguson and Jaden Umeh are also unavailable due to injury. Hallgrimsson was non-committal on Manchester United prospect Shea Lacey, a Liverpool-born England youth international eligible for Ireland through his father, stating any contact would come from other association officials.
