In the best case scenario, Seamus Coleman’s horror leg break suffered in Ireland’s game against Wales on Friday will keep him out for six months.

But that is seen as an optimistic estimate - even considering Coleman’s determined attitude and fitness levels.

The Everton defender sustained the gruesome injury after a reckless tackle from Neil Taylor. Wayne Rooney described the challenge as “horrible” on Twitter, and he’s not the only one who shares that view.

Taylor must be having a pretty wretched time, too. The Aston Villa defender lost almost a season of his career after breaking an ankle in 2012 and Wales manager Chris Coleman painted a grim picture of Taylor’s reaction in the dressing room afterwards.

“He’s numb; he didn’t say a word,” Coleman said, via the Telegraph. “I was the first one into the dressing room after the game and he was sitting on the floor with his head in his hands.

“But, no matter how badly he feels, or we feel, it’s worse for Seamus. We’ve just got to hope and pray that it’s not too bad for Seamus.”

Long's reaction

Shane Long was heavily praised for comforting Seamus Coleman and the photo of the pair together quickly became a defining image.

Long claimed to have been simply trying to settle his Ireland teammate, but there was much more to it like that.

What Long said to Coleman

The Southampton striker’s wife, Kayleagh, has revealed just what Long said to the stricken Coleman as he was receiving treatment.

“I had a hypnotherapy birth and they taught Shane to help me to breathe through it,” she told the Sunday Independent.

“He told me: 'It all came back to me. I was just talking to Seamus, teaching him how to breathe through it.' He remembered it all.

“I asked if Seamus was listening to him and he said, 'Yes, to be fair, he was. He was really breathing well.”

Kayleagh added that Coleman sent Long a text thanking him for his words of comfort.

O'Neill doesn't know when Coleman will be back

Ireland manager Martin O’Neill is hopeful the 28-year-old will work hard to return as soon as possible, although he isn’t clear just when that will be.

"Even the doctors and surgeons wouldn't be terribly sure [when he will return],” O’Neill told BBC Radio Five live, per the Independent

“Sometimes there are complications afterwards and injuries can be more prolonged, other times it can be clean and clear sailing.

“It will take some time but Seamus has great determination and sometimes those things work very much in your favour, in terms of recovery.”

Will Seamus Coleman be the same player again? Let us know in the comments section below!