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Everton boss Ancelotti gives vital update on Seamus Coleman's fitness

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has given an update on the fitness of Seamus Coleman.  Fears hav...



Everton boss Ancelotti gives v...
Soccer

Everton boss Ancelotti gives vital update on Seamus Coleman's fitness

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has given an update on the fitness of Seamus Coleman. 

Fears have grown that the Republic of Ireland captain could miss this month's World Cup qualifiers with Serbia and Luxembourg.

Coleman was again absent from the Everton squad that lost 2-0 at Chelsea on Monday night, having already missed games with Southampton and West Brom.

Ancelotti previously said Coleman's issue was merely a "little problem" sustained in training after the Merseyside derby win at Anfield.

Speaking after the Stamford Bridge defeat, the Italian says he expects the experienced full-back to return in time for Saturday's game with Burnley.

Ancelotti conceded his side "did not play at their best" as they saw Chelsea open up a four-point advantage in the race for Champions League football.

The Chelsea goals came from a Ben Godfrey OG and a Jorginho penalty, but it was Kai Havertz who stole the show.

"I am very happy with his performance," said his manager Thomas Tuchel, "There is no doubt about his quality, talent and character.

"He needs to adapt to the Premier League and to the club where we play to win every game and the highest standards are normal.

"This kind of mentality but I think he did it today excellently, he got in godo positions and used his potential to accelerate our game and to increase the touches in the box responsible for assists, to take responsibility to finish himself.

"This is what we want from him."

Chelsea have now gone eleven games without defeat since Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard in the dug-out.

The former Borussia Dortmund and Mainz boss hopes that momentum can spur them on to a place in next season's Champions League.

"If you play maybe as a hobby or with friends, if you share special moments, good results, a hard fight, this is what brings you together, lifts you up to a special place and performances, gives you energy," Tuchel said.

"I truly believe that this sport is about team effort, I can feel the strong bond between the players, they are not talking about it but they live it in training and this is what you see on the pitch. I can feel it all the time, I can feel the support and I feel the positive energy from everybody around the team towards my staff.

"Everybody is doing everything in a really positive atmosphere and we need this to continue."

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Carlo Ancelotti Ireland Republic Of Ireland Seamus Coleman Serbia Stephen Kenny World Cup Qualifiers