Seamus Coleman was stretchered off in the first half during Everton’s game with Leicester City after suffering a cruel blow just before half-time.
The club captain was injured in a collision with Boubakary Soumare, replays showing his leg buckling on impact. Coleman lay stricken on the turf for some minutes before being carried off the pitch with his head in his hands.
Coleman had started the game - his first appearance since being taken off injured at Old Trafford against Manchester United last month. His return was a significant boost for an Everton side that had struggled to cover for their talisman, Mason Holgate and Ben Godfrey both enduring torrid games as they attempted to cover his loss against Fulham, Crystal Palace and then Newcastle United.
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Now attention will turn to the severity of the injury for the 34-year-old, a leader on and off the pitch for the Blues and a figure supporters and players felt compelled to rally around in the club’s time of need.
Coleman left the pitch to the sound of applause from the home fans while the away end chanted his name. He was replaced by Nathan Patterson.
Leicester lead 2-1 at half-time.
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