Everton are fearing the worst after Seamus Coleman suffered a broken leg.
Coleman had to be given oxygen following an horrific tackle by Neil Taylor during the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup qualifier with Wales on Friday.
The Blues’ full-back was stretchered off with the injury on an evening when he had captained his country at the Aviva Stadium.
Earlier in the evening, Ronald Koeman received another setback as James McCarthy was ruled out of the encounter after suffering an injury in the warm-up.
But the loss of Coleman, likely for the rest of the current season, could not be worse timed ahead of next weekend’s Merseyside derby clash with Liverpool.
Martin O’Neill confirmed the 28-year-old’s prognosis after the game in Dublin.
He said: “Seamus has gone to hospital. I think he’s been confirmed by our doctor he has broken his leg.
“It’s a real blow to him, having the season of a lifetime at club level, and a real leader for us.
“It’s a big loss, a big loss. A big loss to Everton, and a big loss to us.
“But he’ll fight back, I hope. It puts things into perspective.”
Koeman still has young right-back Mason Holgate to call upon for the Anfield encounter despite the 20-year-old’s relative lack of regular first-team experience.