Coleman suffers broken leg in Republic World Cup draw

Republic captain Seamus Coleman is expected to have surgery later after breaking his leg in last night’s World Cup qualifier with Wales.

The Everton defender was carried off on a stretcher after Neil Taylor’s 69th minute tackle which earned him a red card.

The game ended scoreless leaving Martin O’Neill’s side tied with group leaders Serbia on 11 points.

O’Neill said the news about Coleman was “devastating”.

And he said it was hard to decide if the point they picked up was a good one – given the severity of the injury.

O'Neill said he had been told Taylor's tackle wasn't great''.

I'd like to have been in a position to have seen the challenge,'' O'Neill said.

The players said it wasn't great. The television people said it wasn't great either.”

Wales boss Chris Coleman said: “Sadly for Seamus, obviously, it looks like it's a bad one."

He said 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,” Coleman added.

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?'''

• Coleman
• Republic of Ireland