Seamus Coleman isn't expected to return until 2018 following his horror double leg break and subsequent surgery against Wales on Friday.

The Republic of Ireland and Everton right-back was on the receiving end of a disgusting challenge from Neil Taylor, who will receive a hefty ban from FIFA.

But he's remained positive(ish) throughout the ordeal, with manager Martin O'Neill revealing today how the operation was a success and that he isn't in much pain.

"I think he's just beginning to come to terms with it," O'Neill said, per The Sun. "I saw him yesterday (on Sunday) and he's still pretty down about it.

"He's not in as much pain, the operation went very well and it's just a matter of coming to terms with it.

"You know the sort of pain that he's going to be going through, obviously the immediate pain and then his recovery.

"It's a major blow, not only for the player, but obviously for his family, people who were at the game watching that."

In a bid to soften the blow, FIFA have offered to pay Coleman's £50,000-per-week wages at Everton until he eventually returns.

A long road to recovery awaits the 28-year-old, who summed up his fighting spirit with what he said to O'Neill in hospital after surgery

According to O'Neill, Coleman told him that the past is the past and he's now focused on making a full recovery, rather than letting himself get down.

"As Seamus mentioned to me the other day," O'Neill added, "he just said that it has happened now, he can't do anything about it and it's what he does now in the next few months that is very, very important.

"It's a bad blow for the player, who has been terrific for us."

What a trooper. Coleman's presence will be missed at Everton, for whom he's been fantastic this season and helped guide into the Europa League places.

"He's having a wonderful season at Everton and he has been missed around the place over the last couple of days too," O'Neill continued.

"I think he's very positive and he will get into recovery mode as quickly as possible and then it's up to him."