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.
Hallgrimsson has drafted Celtic’s Johnny Kenny as Parrott’s replacement in the only change from the 23-man squad he unveiled last week but the Sligoman isn’t expected to make his debut as a starter against the Magyars.
Killian Phillips shook off an injury sustained while playing for St. Mirren on Sunday to be passed fit.
Kenny’s former Celtic teammate as of Monday, Adam Idah, will compete for a slot in the XI but most likely is the manager reverting to an attacking midfielder acting as a link to Ferguson.
Finn Azaz is back in the squad having been rested for the June friendlies and completing his €15m move to Southampton.
His impressive showing in the pair of Uefa Nations League playoff wins over Bulgaria has earned him the trust of Hallgrimsson to occupy the No 10 role behind the frontman.
The manager had lost Robbie Brady and Will Smallbone before naming his squad but still approaches his first pair of qualifiers with depth of positions.
Ireland’s other competitors in the group are top seeds Portugal and Armenia, who they travel to take on next Tuesday in Yerevan.
Idah and Chiedozie Ogbene missed Monday’s opening training session to complete moves in England but all 23 players are due to be involved for Tuesday’s workout at FAI headquarters in Abbotstown.
They face a Hungary side captained by Dominik Szoboszlai, fresh from his superb free-kick winner for Liverpool against Arsenal on Sunday. He reported into camp with fellow Red Milos Kerkez on Monday.
Caoimhín Kelleher (Brentford), Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Mark Travers (Everton).
Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Jake O'Brien (Everton), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Jimmy Dunne (Queens Park Rangers), Bosun Lawal (Stoke City), Liam Scales (Celtic), Ryan Manning (Southampton).
Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), Killian Phillips (St. Mirren).
Evan Ferguson (AS Roma), Adam Idah (Celtic), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough), Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich Town), Chiedozie Ogbene (Ipswich Town), Kasey McAteer (Ipswich Town), Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion), Johnny Kenny (Celtic).
Ireland v Hungary, Aviva Stadium (7.45pm)
Armenia v Ireland, Republican Stadium, (8pm local, 5pm Irish).
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