Saturday 25 March 2017 12:11, UK
Shane Long has backed Republic of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman to come back "fitter and stronger" after the defender broke his leg against Wales.
The Everton full-back was rushed to hospital after being carried off on a stretcher following Neil Taylor's challenge during Friday night's 0-0 World Cup Qualifier.
He is set to have surgery in Dublin today after scans showed he suffered a double fracture of his right tibia, according to Sky sources.
His team-mate Long, however, is confident that Coleman will return to his best.
He said: "It's not nice. I was trying to comfort him on the pitch. He's loved by everyone, he's a big player and he will be a big loss.
"He was in a lot of pain. It's a bad injury, so I tried to settle him and relax him. It's not nice to see that happen to anybody, but I think everybody loves Seamus and it's hard to see when he goes down like that.
"I'm sure he will come back fitter and stronger."
Aston Villa's Taylor, who himself spent six months on the sidelines after breaking an ankle in 2012, was shown a red card by referee Nicola Rizzoli and Wales boss Chris Coleman later revealed the player was "devastated" at the outcome.
Long added he does not believe Taylor intended to injure Coleman having had a long injury lay-off.
"I think he has got it done to him before, so I suppose he went in worried about the challenge. He caught him high and I think he was in tears afterwards.
"He knows the pain Seamus was in because, as I said, he's been there before.
"It was a horrible challenge and there is no defending it, but I don't think he meant to do it."
Serbia's win in Georgia means they now top Group D on goal difference from Ireland with both sides on 11 points and Wales back in third and four points adrift at the halfway stage of the qualifying campaign.
Martin O'Neill's side are at home to Iceland on Tuesday.
