Republic of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery to deal with the horrific broken leg suffered against Wales.
The 28-year-old Everton full-back suffered a double fracture of his lower right leg during Friday night's 0-0 World Cup qualifier draw at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Coleman was hurt in a challenge by Wales wing-back Neil Taylor, who was sent off as a result, 69 minutes into a stormy affair.
The FAI have confirmed that the Killybegs star underwent surgery on Saturday morning after fracturing his right tibia and fibula, under the care of the FAI's orthopaedic surgeon, Professor John O'Byrne and consultant orthopaedic surgeon Gary O'Toole.
"Seamus suffered a serious leg injury and has undergone surgery. He has had an exceptional season with both club and country, and he will be a big loss," said Ireland manager Martin O'Neill.
"But Seamus is so mentally strong that when he has fully recovered he will be as brilliant as before."
Coleman's condition will be monitored over the coming days, while John O'Shea, James McCarthy, Glenn Whelan and Jonathan Walters will also leave international camp and return to their clubs.
Welsh boss Chris Coleman defended Taylor following the rash challenge.
"Neil Taylor is not that type of player. He's had a serious injury himself. He's a great boy, he's a cracking lad"
"Sadly for Seamus, obviously, it looks like it's a bad one," he said, adding Taylor had gone into the Republic dressing room at the end of the match to see the Ireland captain.
"Neil Taylor is not that type of player. He's had a serious injury himself. He's a great boy, he's a cracking lad.
"I've not seen the challenge, but I've seen the outcome, if you like, and it's a bad one for Seamus.
"Yes, it looks like he (Taylor) has got that one wrong on our part. I've only seen it in real time when it happened and I didn't see a lot.
"I saw the reaction. I have seen a picture of the outcome, so my thoughts are with Seamus.
"Of course, Neil is devastated himself. But, no, I never said to Neil, 'What were you thinking?"'
"He's in bits to be honest," Joe Allen told reporters after the match.
"Tayls [Taylor] is one of my best mates and he's a great guy. He's really disappointed that one of his tackles has ended up getting someone hurt.
"But unfortunately in football these things can happen.
Martin O’Neill said the Irish dressing-room was "devastated" for their captain.
“It’s a bad break," O'Neill told RTÉ Sport. "It’s a real, real shame for the lad. A brilliant player, a brilliant character – we’re all devastated for him.”
Coleman’s team-mate Shane Long believes there was no intent on the part of Taylor, though admitted it was a “bad challenge”.
The Southampton striker could be seen comforting the full-back after the incident, but believes the Aston Villa defender was genuinely trying to win the ball.
“He caught him high. I think he was in tears afterwards," he said.
“He knows the pain Seamus is in because he’s been there before. It was a horrible challenge, there’s no defending it but I don’t think he meant to do it.
“It was innocent enough.”
Long also felt a couple of tackles from Gareth Bale were full-blooded, but above board, especially the challenges on John O’Shea and James McClean.
“Yeah he caught him [O’Shea] high. I think that was honest as well," he said.
“He was trying to get the ball obviously and scored a goal but he did catch him high and even afterwards with the kick in the chest on James McClean.
“Little things like that if they go your way could change a game but I don’t think there was any malice in it.
“I thought the ref did alright tonight. He let the game go.”
'We’re all devastated for him' - Martin O'Neill says the Irish dressing-room is distraught after Seamus Coleman's dreadful injury #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/IjTnnEMvGY
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) March 24, 2017
Coleman's club boss, Ronald Koeman, insisted the Everton defender would have the full support of "the Everton family" as he begins his recovery.
"I haven't been able to speak to Seamus as yet and I hope to do so this afternoon, but he will be aware that the thoughts of his teammates, the coaching staff, everyone at the Club and all Evertonians are with him at this time," the Dutch manager told the Toffees' website.
"No-one ever wishes to see something like this happen to any player, much less one of our own.
"Seamus will face a lengthy recovery period and we will support him throughout this.
"He is a really strong character and he has a great family around him and we, his extended family at Everton, will be here for him to help him get through this over the coming days, weeks and months."
There were good luck messages on Twitter too, with Manchester United's Wayne Rooney posting: "Hope Seamus Coleman gets better soon. Horrible tackle."
Hope seamus Coleman gets better soon. Horrible tackle
— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) March 24, 2017
Former Ireland stars Shay Given and Paul McGrath too passed on their best wishes.
Given posted: "Wishing @Everton Seamus Coleman a speedy and full recovery. Stay positive pal, and you will be back to your best again."
McGrath wrote: "Thoughts and best wishes are with Seamus Coleman tonight. The result of the game is put into perspective when something like this happens."
