Everton's stand-in captain, Tim Cahill, has praised Séamus Coleman for showing the character to overcome a traumatic start to his Goodison Park career and submit his case as the club's latest young discovery. The 21-year-old from Donegal was instrumental in Everton's dramatic comeback from two goals down against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, creating goals for Louis Saha and Cahill before Tim Howard saved an injury-time penalty from Jermain Defoe.
Coleman's first Goodison appearance arrived as an early replacement for the hamstrung Joseph Yobo and proved a stark contrast to his full debut in October when, played out of position at left-back against Benfica at the Stadium of Light, he was tormented by the excellent Angel Di María in a 5-0 defeat, Everton's heaviest loss in European football. Coleman also recovered from a career-threatening injury in the summer when a blister on his foot developed an infection that almost spread to the bone.
"His attitude is one of the best things about him," said Cahill, whose equaliser was his first goal in 13 games for Everton but is now suspended for Saturday's visit to Chelsea. "He never stops, works hard in training and loves being part of the team. As a captain I'm proud of him and he deserves it.
"He was fantastic against Tottenham. I've spoken about the young lads stepping up and taking the opportunity to do well and this is their chance. They've got to take it and be consistent. Now it's about helping Séamus to learn how to play in the Premier League. Against Tottenham he showed how well he is learning."
Everton saw off interest from Celtic, Birmingham City and Ipswich Town to sign Coleman for £150,000 from Sligo Rovers in January and the defenderr, who began his career with hometown club Killybegs, has represented the Republic of Ireland at Under-21 and Under-23 level. Given the state of the Everton defence with Yobo, Sylvain Distin, Phil Jagielka and Phil Neville all injured, his next assignment is likely to come at Stamford Bridge.
Everton's aborted stadium move to Kirkby is unlikely to be revived despite ministerial attempts to introduce a watered-down version of the development. The government rejected the Destination Kirkby project on planning grounds almost a fortnight ago but the north-west minister, Phil Woolas, has since met leaders of Knowsley Council in an attempt to salvage the scheme and include it in England's 2018 World Cup bid.
A plan involving the stadium and a Tesco store has been mooted, minus the 40 accompanying shops that prompted the rejection but which were a vital part of the financial package that attracted Everton to Kirkby to begin with. "This issue is far from over and the needs of Everton Football Club are still real," said Woolas. "The government is committed to the regeneration of both Kirby and Skelmersdale and we will be working behind the scenes with all parties to see if we can take forward a Plan B."
Everton's chairman, Bill Kenwright, however, has declared Kirkby a closed chapter and the club's position is believed to remain unaltered. Everton are still awaiting formal contact from Liverpool City Council over the stadium alternatives it claimed existed while voicing opposition to Kirkby.