Seamus Coleman’s injury problems place more emphasis on Matthew Pennington

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Matthew Pennington’s progress at Ipswich Town could be timely – with Seamus Coleman’s career having been rocked by injuries.

The 23-year-old has played four games for the Tractor Boys so far since moving from Everton on loan.

He was let go on deadline day, as Everton completed moves for Yerry Mina and Kurt Zouma.

Marco Silva was keen for Pennington to play regular football. And Pennington is doing just that, while impressing Town boss Paul Hurst in the process.

A glowing report

Hurst has spoken very highly of Pennington, and Toffees fans are sure to be pleased with the report. He said, as quoted by the twtd.co.uk: “He’s got a fantastic attitude, I can’t speak highly enough of him.

“I think there was a player from Everton on loan here last year, Callum Connolly, and I think they’re very, very similar by all accounts in terms of attitude and the way they conduct themselves.

“I think he’s done very well since he joined us just before the deadline.

“He’s an extremely fit player, he gets up and down the pitch extremely well.

“I spoke to a manager that had worked with him before and he had said he did a really good job for him at right-back.”

Coleman’s successor?

Pennington is equally comfortable playing at right-back as he is in the centre.

His progress is certainly timely, with Coleman currently sidelined.

The Republic of Ireland international came back from a broken leg in January this year but is now out again after breaking his metatarsal.

How this will affect Coleman in the long run is anyone’s guess. There’s a chance he might not be the same player when he returns – two substantial injuries have to have taken their toll.

And if Jonjoe Kenny doesn’t turn his form around, Silva may well hand Pennington another chance in the first-team next term.

He’s only made nine appearances for Everton so far in his career.

But Coleman’s form and fitness could well dictate his chances of adding to that tally from January or next season.