Seamus Coleman says he is contemplating retiring from football but is not ready “to completely draw a line in the sand” on his career.

The 38-year-old defender has been without a club since he left Everton at the end of last season after 17 years on Merseyside.

Coleman had been linked to Sheffield United in the summer and has been training individually, but has not played since the Republic of Ireland’s friendly in Canada in June.

After he was left out of the Republic of Ireland squad for the recent Nations League quadruple-header, head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said Coleman intended to continue playing and that he hoped to include him in future camps.

However, speaking to the Overlap Fan Debate with Jamie Carragher on Tuesday, Coleman said he was considering hanging up his boots, even if he stopped short of making an official announcement.

“I have been keeping fit but it is edging towards that way, and happily as well,” said Coleman, who made a club record 374 Premier League appearances for Everton.

Speaking on the difficulties of not training with a club, Coleman said it was “hard for many reasons”.

“Mentally, physically, just to keep ticking over. I enjoy training but you’re not with a ball and that.

“Regarding what’s next, I’ve enjoyed family time, I’m doing this now and I seem to enjoy it, so we will see how it goes. It’s just an open book at the minute.”

Coleman had initially hoped to add to his 81 international caps and keep playing until Euro 2028, when the Republic of Ireland will be one of the host nations of the tournament.

He turned down the offer of a coaching contract with Everton in favour of trying to extend his playing career.

While he has waiting for a new club, Coleman had been back in his native Donegal and was training with his local Gaelic football team, Killybegs, and had even been linked with lining up for them in the Donegal Senior Football Championship.

“I had the hope and ambition of maybe, possibly playing on,” Coleman added.

“The longer I have been off, and the more I’ve been around the family and back home for Halloween break with the kids and stuff like that, the more content I am with what I am doing at the minute.”