• ‘It’s a double break but it has been pinned up now and screwed in’ • O’Neill reluctant to put timescale on right-back’s recovery

The surgery on Séamus Coleman’s broken leg has been a success. The Republic of Ireland right-back suffered a double break of his right leg in a tackle with Wales’ Neil Taylor during the World Cup qualifier in Dublin.

The Republic captain was given oxygen before being carried off in Friday’s goalless draw at the Aviva Stadium and was taken to St Vincent’s University hospital.

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“He had the operation yesterday [Saturday] morning at 8.30am, that was successful,” Martin O’Neill said. “He has realised everything that has happened and is very disappointed. It will take some time to heal, it’s a double break but it has been pinned up and screwed in. I know the doctors and surgeons are all very pleased with the way the operation has gone and now it’s time for recuperation.”

The Republic manager added: “I saw him the evening of the injury, he was fairly groggy. It’s a devastating blow for the lad, he was having a phenomenal season at Everton and a phenomenal season for us as captain.”

No timescale has been put on Coleman’s recovery but O’Neill said the player’s mental strength will aid his comeback.

“I’m not sure, I would only be guessing,” said O’Neill, when asked how long Coleman could be out for on BBC radio. “Even the doctors and surgeons wouldn’t be terribly sure. Sometimes there are complications and injuries can be more prolonged, other times it can be clean and clear sailing.

“It will take some time but Seamus has great determination and sometimes those things work very much in your favour, in terms of recovery.”

Taylor was sent off for the tackle but while clearly upset, O’Neill stopped short of rounding on the 28-year-old Aston Villa defender. He said: “I’ve seen the challenge, I’ve seen the challenge Gareth Bale did on John O’Shea and they are very poor challenges.”

The draw meant the Republic missed the chance to return to the top of Group D, because Serbia beat Georgia. Wales are four points behind in third place.