Sean Dyche has said that the "mindset" of Everton captain Seamus Coleman "is to keep playing" next season ahead of Saturday's final home fixture of the current campaign against Sheffield United.
Coleman joined Everton back in 2009 for just £60,000 from Irish club Sligo Rovers and has since made a total of 420 appearances for the Toffees across all competitions.
The 35-year-old has suffered with several injuries during the latter stages of his career and has been reduced to just 10 Premier League outings this term, including only five starts.
Coleman has earned legendary status at Goodison Park, but his long-term future at the club remains uncertain as he is due to see his contract expire at the end of the season.
Saturday's league fixture with Sheffield United represents what could be Coleman's final home game as an Everton player, before the Toffees travel to Arsenal on the final day of the season.
© Reuters
Dyche delivers update on Coleman's Everton future
There has been speculation that Coleman has been offered a new one-year deal to stay on at Everton until the summer of 2025.
Dyche is yet to confirm or deny those reports, but he has stated that the right-back still has a desire to continue playing and will reflect on his future in the coming weeks.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Saturday's clash with Sheffield United, Dyche said: "He's been great, but [discussions are] ongoing. I've already spoken to him about his view at this stage.
"There are another couple of weeks left, and I said, 'Reflect on where you're at,' but I think his thirst is to keep playing, so we'll be looking into that.
"I don't think there's any reason to wonder about his last game - or not at this stage - and certainly, that's his words and not mine. He's made it clear that, at this stage, his mindset is to keep playing."
© Reuters
Asked if Coleman could take up a coaching role at Finch Farm once he hangs up his boots, Dyche added: "I think he's learning to have that in him. He's absorbed a lot from a lot of different experiences here.
"The good side of all the turnover of managers, is you can learn a lot from the varying input, the varying styles, and the varying ways of working. I think he's like that, and I think he will absorb that. He certainly knows the club like the back of his hand."
Should Coleman decide to stay at Everton next season, he would presumably continue as a peripheral figure in Dyche's first-team squad, albeit an important member of the dressing room.
The Republic of Ireland international is arguably a fourth-choice right-back at present as Ben Godfrey, Ashley Young and Nathan Patterson have all featured regularly, when fit, this season.
Young is also out of contract this summer, along with Idrissa Gueye, Andre Gomes, Dele Alli and Andy Lonergan, and a decision on their futures is yet to be made.
Oliver Thomas
