Republic of Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane has played down the significance of Gareth Bale’s loss to Wales – insisting the absence of Seamus Coleman is just as big for the Boys in Green.
Bale has been ruled out of Wales’ last two World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Ireland because of a calf strain.
The Real Madrid star had hoped to make it for the Group D run-in, but he has been replaced by Tom Bradshaw of Barnsley.
“He’s an important player for them, but we’re missing Seamus Coleman, Jon Walters. They’re as important to us as Bale is to Wales, so that’s life,” Keane said at a press conference in Dublin yesterday.
“I’ve not really discussed it with (the players). As I’ve said, we’re missing Seamus Coleman. He’s as big a loss as Bale is to Wales.”
Coleman has resumed full training at Everton as he continues his recovery from a horror double leg break, sustained when Ireland played Wales in Dublin in March.
The Killybegs man is aiming to be back in action before the end of the year.
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