Ronald Koeman has hailed Seamus Coleman's dedication and professionalism and believes the Everton defender's strength of character will be an advantage as he bids to overcome his horrific leg injury.
Coleman faces months on the sidelines after needing surgery on a broken tibia and fibula following a tackle made by Neil Taylor in the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifier against Wales on Friday.
Koeman revealed he spoke to Coleman on Saturday, when he was still coming to terms with the injury, which the Dutchman acknowledged is a bombshell for all concerned.
"It's a big, big blow for the player and a big, big blow for the club," Koeman told the club's official website.
"It takes time for everybody to come to terms with something like this and, of course, that is felt most deeply by Seamus himself.
"He was in pain when we spoke - it is normal to have some pain after such an injury - and, naturally, he was feeling very down. This is all normal. But he knows he will have a lot of support."
"In all my years in football, Seamus is one of the best professionals I've ever worked with at any club"
Coleman was due to leave hospital in Dublin on Wednesday having undergone surgery to pin his broken tibia and fibula on Saturday morning.
He faces a long road back to recovery, but his resolve will be a huge benefit, according to Koeman, who said: "In all my years in football, Seamus is one of the best professionals I've ever worked with at any club.
"His dedication to the game, his attitude and motivation are always where they should be and that's 100%, and he's like that in training every day as well as in games.
"That mentality will really be helpful to him now in not only coming to terms with what has happened but in setting out on the road to recovery and, over time, in him building himself once more to the level he has maintained over many years here at Everton. That strength of character will be a big, big thing.
"He is valued very much as a player, which makes it really difficult that we are talking about an injury that will keep him out for six, seven months, something like that.
"But I know he will come back strongly, that's the type of man he is."
Meanwhile, Coleman's clubmate and Wales captain Ashley Williams has revealed that Taylor was extremely upset and wanted to visit the Irishman in hospital.
“It was just a weird feeling from everyone around the dressing rooms," said Williams. "Even people who don’t know Seamus like I do were gutted.
"Neil Taylor was completely gutted. He was sitting on the floor virtually in tears. He asked me to check if it would be okay to go to see Seamus in hospital. He got his number off me and sent him a text straight away.
“I tried to go to the hospital Seamus was in after the game but the FAI said he’d had a few family visitors and they were trying to get him to sleep.
“I sent him a text and he woke up in the night and texted me back. I spoke to him then. I’ve spoken to him since, too, and he seems positive and focused on his recovery.”
