Chris Coleman insists namesake Seamus Coleman’s controversial broken leg will have no impact on Wales’ final and decisive World Cup qualifier with the Republic of Ireland on Monday night.
The Everton right-back will miss the game at Cardiff City Stadium as he continues his recovery from the injury he suffered in the game in Dublin last March following a tackle by Neil Taylor.
But Coleman says the incident – which saw ex-Swansea City left back Taylor red carded and banned – will not be mentioned in the build-up to the game.
“I don’t think that will have a bearing on tomorrow night,” said Coleman of a game which could see either side qualifying for the final in Russia next year with a win.
“You have two sets of committed players, lots of contact I would imagine, our players know that.
“It was a physical game out there, it was unfortunate with Seamus and Tayls, it was a horrible situation, for Seamus mainly, but it’s good to see he is back and not far off, Ashley Williams speaks very highly of him.
“For us, there won’t be a mention of it at all. I have no idea how the Republic of Ireland are feeling or looking at it, but there won’t be talk from us, it’s all about the future, Ireland on Monday is the future for us.”
Wales – who are one point ahead of Martin O’Neill’s side – know a draw should clinch a spot in the play-offs while a win would see them top the group if Serbia lose or draw at home to Georgia.
And that would ensure Wales have qualified for a World Cup for the first time since 1958.
But Coleman added: ”I won’t be talking about 1958. I will say: this is what we are up against, this is what we have to do to be successful now go out and enjoy it.
“It’s (1958) nothing to do with our squad of players. You can look back, we’ve never done this or that. Our players have not been involved in that.
“What they are doing is that this is their time and they are doing a great job of that. They are concentrating on affecting what is now. That has to continue.
“We were labelled the golden bunch of players before we qualified for the Euros. In tried to shy away from that.
“But they’ve earned it since. They have made the difference. They’ve gone one step further than anyone else before them.
“But that won’t help us tomorrow. It’s in the past. We have to get the right mindset.
“They [Ireland] will be asking strong questions of us but we have to focus on us.
“We have to concentrate on ourselves. We have to make sure we enjoy the experience. They’ve created this.
“I’m not nervous about the game, we have been here before the past couple of years. But the excitement is incredible.”
