SEAMUS COLEMAN has been given the approval of his peers as the Donegal man was last night selected in the Premier League team of the year at the PFA awards.

While in the past Irish players like Roy Keane, Stephen Carr and Shay Given regularly made it into the Premier League's team of the year, as picked by their fellow pros, over the last 11 seasons only two players from the Republic (Shay Given in 2005/06 and Richard Dunne in 2009/10) were so honoured. But Coleman's form this season with Everton has won him the nod from the members of the PFA, the Killybegs lad picked as the best right back in the division.

Andy Reid's efforts with Nottingham Forest saw him make it into the Championship XI for the season.

Striker Scott Hogan, who is eligible for Ireland but remains uncapped at any level, was named in the League Two team of the year having scored 19 goals in 40 games for title winners Rochdale.

Meanwhile, Everton are ready to break the bank to keep Coleman at Goodison Park.

Salary

Arsenal are believed to be lining up a deal to offer the Irishman twice his £30,000 a week salary to bring him to the Emirates.

But Roberto Martinez is keen to secure his services after a great season for the Toffees, despite a horror own goal in Saturday's 2-0 defeat against Southampton.

Martinez still believes Everton have a chance of sneaking into the Champions League despite that setback. Own goals Antolin Alcaraz and Séamus Coleman proved the difference at St Mary's.

The result leaves Everton's hopes of a top-four finish looking remote, with Arsenal now having the opportunity to move four points clear with victory over Newcastle.

Getting a helping hand from the side bottom of the Premier League form table tonight looks unlikely, but Martinez believes they can still make the top four.

"Well, obviously it's clear that you want to get as many points as you can," the Everton boss said.

"For us, that doesn't change in the same way after beating Man United last week didn't mean we were going to get into the top four," he added.

"Eight wins or 24 points out of 30 is a phenomenal run and we're going to give everything we've got for the next six points."

Press Association