Seamus Coleman: Veteran keen to enjoy remainder of Republic of Ireland career

Seamus Coleman is back in the Republic of Ireland squad for the first time in a year for the friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland over the next week

Seamus Coleman is determined to enjoy the remainder of a Republic of Ireland career he thought might be finished after a serious knee injury.

Coleman, 35, is back in the squad for Saturday's friendly against Belgium and Tuesday's game with Switzerland.

The full-back was hurt against Leicester last May and returned to Everton duty in December.

"I kind of thought that might have been it," said Coleman. "It looked to be a bad injury."

Coleman, who has 68 caps for his country after his debut in 2011, added: "Thankfully I got away without it being an ACL which was important at my age."

His last international appearance had him battling with France's Kylian Mbappe 12 months ago as the Irish produced one of the better performances of Stephen Kenny's reign before losing 1-0 in a Euro 2024 qualifier in Dublin.

Following Kenny's departure as coach, Coleman's former Republic defensive colleague John O'Shea is in interim charge for the two games over the next week.

"It's always tough watching on and to see the team not doing so well is very tough," he added of the Republic's continuing struggles which have seen them drop to 62nd spot in the world rankings.

"I've been there when I've been fit and a part of teams that aren't doing well, so I know how it feels, it's tough.

"It always hurts us when we play for our national team and it doesn't go to plan, but, personally speaking, I was kind of tunnel vision towards getting fit.

"I was just completely focused on getting back fit. Obviously I watch out for the lads and care for the lads when I'm not here, but I had full focus on trying to get back to play at this level."