Evan Ferguson likely to spearhead Ireland attack alone in Troy Parrott's absence

SOLE STRIKER: Evan Ferguson during a Republic of Ireland training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Troy Parrott’s unavailability may influence Heimir Hallgrimsson into deploying Evan Ferguson as a sole striker in Saturday’s World Cup qualification opener against Hungary at Lansdowne Road.

Plans to pair the Icelander’s first-choice strikeforce together were scuppered when Parrott sustained a muscle injury in the run-up to AZ Alkmaar’s Conference League win over Vaduz last Thursday.