Good news for Martin O'Neill: Seamus Coleman and John O'Shea return to training

But midfielder James McCarthy had to admit defeat in his attempts to shake off a groin problem.

Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill was handed a boost on Friday morning when key defenders Seamus Coleman and John O'Shea trained ahead of Monday night's World Cup qualifier in Serbia.

Coleman has not kicked a ball for club Everton this season because of an ankle injury, while O'Shea has been out of action since limping out of Sunderland's 2-1 derby defeat to Middlesbrough on August 21 with a hip problem.