Soccer:Scans have confirmed that Republic of Ireland international Seamus Coleman has suffered a torn ligament in his ankle. The talented 22 year old defender sustained the damage in Everton's 1-0 defeat to Villarreal last Friday and subsequently withdrew from the Irish squad for tomorrow's friendly international against Croatia at the Aviva stadium.

The X-rays taken immediately after the game confirmed he had not suffered a break but further scans on yesterday (Monday) revealed the 22-year-old has torn a ligament in his right ankle.

Coleman, who is suspended for the first two games of the new Premier League season after being sent-off against Chelsea on the final day of the 2010/11 campaign, will visit a specialist later this week as he begins his recuperation from the injury but it is too early to put a timescale on the recovery.

Everton head physio Danny Donachie told evertonfc.com: “Seamus has torn the lateral ligament in his right ankle. He will be visiting a specialist in London later this week for further assessment.”