Injury rules Troy Parrott out of Ireland World Cup qualifiers

Parrott, who has been in fine goal scoring for for AZ Alkmaar this season, was set to partner Evan Ferguson up front for the games against Hungary and Armenia. 

AZ Alkmaar coach Maarten Martens said Troy Parrott will be "out for a while". Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Troy Parrott has been ruled out of Ireland’s opening World Cup qualifiers against Hungary and Armenia by his club AZ Alkmaar.

The Irish striker has enjoyed a stellar season by reaching a double-figure haul already but concerns arose when he was missing from Thursday’s Conference League playoff second leg against Levski Sofia.

What was initially described as a minor injury has been upgraded to rule him out of assembling with the Ireland squad on Monday.

Heimir Hallgrimsson was already missing injured pair Robbie Brady and Will Smallbone before this latest setback. Parrott was set to partner Evan Ferguson in the Ireland attack in the first game against second seeds Hungary at Lansdowne Road in eight days. Ireland then head to Yerevan for the second of their six qualifiers on September 9.

AZ Alkmaar coach Maarten Martens said: “He will be out for a while. Sunday (against NAC) won't work. So we are not going to release him for those international matches, because he is not fit."

Parrott’s absence will increase the prospects of Swansea City-bound Adam Idah featuring.

The Corkman was absent from the open part of Celtic's training session on Friday morning as the club's transfer activity intensified ahead of Sunday's trip to face Rangers.

Idah travelled to South Wales for a medical after Swansea succeeded with an offer worth up to €10m for the Ireland international.

The 24-year-old was briefly Celtic's record signing, before the €14m arrival of Arne Engels last summer, after enjoying a fruitful loan spell from Norwich City.

Idah hit 20 goals for Celtic last season but struggled to win over a number of fans and failed to score in the early part of this campaign. Being withdrawn at half-time in last week’s scoreless draw against Kairat Almaty was the final straw.

Out of the Champions League and into the Europa, Celtic have moved to sign Anderlecht and Denmark forward Kasper Dolberg.

The 27-year-old former Ajax and Nice player has scored five times in eight appearances this season after scoring 20 goals for club and country last term.