Seamus Coleman and Jeff Hendrick ‘respond well to light work’

In encouraging news for Martin O’Neill ahead of Monday’s World Cup qualifier away to Serbia, both Seamus Coleman (ankle) and Jeff Hendrick (hamstring) “responded well to some light work” at Ireland’s first training session of the week in Abbotstown yesterday, according to the FAI.

Coleman trained away from the rest of the squad in the company of a physio but there appears to be increasing optimism in the Irish camp that he will be available for the match in Belgrade.

Another injury doubt, Coleman’s Everton team-mate James McCarthy, is “monitoring a groin strain” and was reportedly due to have a scan on the problem.

Four members of the panel who were absent yesterday are expected to join the rest of the squad today. John O’Shea stayed at his club, Sunderland, for further recuperation on a hip injury while Reading’s Paul McShane has been nursing a hamstring problem picked up at the weekend. Striker Daryl Murphy was away completing his move from Ipswich Town to Newcastle United and goalkeeper Keiren Westwood’s arrival in camp was delayed for personal reasons.

Both Robbie Keane and Shane Long sat out training with what were described as “minor knocks”.

Ireland will play host to Oman in a friendly at the Aviva tomorrow, a game which will see the record-breaking Keane take his final bow as an Irish international. He will then leave the squad before they travel to Belgrade to play Serbia in their opening qualifying game of the 2018 World Cup.

Keane said yesterday he’s happy that his swansong is a proper game, albeit a friendly, rather than a testimonial.

Yet he also acknowledged that it’s a match he was never in any hurry to play.

“I’ve dreaded this day for a long time,” he said.

“I think it’s the right time for me but I certainly have mixed emotions about it. Wednesday night is going to be very emotional for me and my family.

“To go out and say thank you to the fans will be a special moment for me and something that I’ll never forget.”