Ireland's Coleman suffers broken leg after Neil Taylor's reckless tackle

Republic of Ireland and Everton full-back Seamus Coleman suffered a broken leg as a result of a dangerous studs-up tackle from Wales defender Neil Taylor in the second half of Friday's World Cup qualifier, manager Martin O'Neill has confirmed.

Coleman received oxygen as he left the field on a stretcher. Taylor, meanwhile, was sent off.

"It's a bad break," O'Neill told RTE Sport. "He's gone to hospital. It's a real, real shame for the lad. A brilliant player, a brilliant character. We're all devastated for him."

Such was the severity of the 28-year-old's injury that the live broadcast declined to show replays of the incident. Shane Long approached his teammate and gave him a hug as Coleman clutched his right leg.

The immediate reaction of the Ireland internationals made clear the injury was serious. Taylor went into Coleman with a high and late challenge, and images appear to show his leg bend in an unnatural fashion.

It is a devastating setback for Coleman, who has enjoyed a fruitful season with the Toffees. He has started 26 of Everton's 29 matches in the Premier League thus far.

The prognosis, however, would mean his season is over.

The match, an otherwise uneventful affair, ended 0-0, keeping Ireland in second place in Group D with 11 points. Wales remains third with seven points.