Troy Parrott could miss October World Cup qualifiers with knee injury

NO JOY FOR TROY: Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson provided an update on Troy Parrott's injury. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile.

Troy Parrott’s knee medical ligament injury could extend into the October World Cup qualifiers.

Heimir Hallgrímsson was robbed of his in-form striker for the openers against Hungary on Saturday and Armenia next Tuesday after he suffered the setback playing for AZ Alkmaar.

Now it appears the ex-Tottenham forward is a doubt for the October matches against Armenia at home and Portugal away.

Adam Idah and Chiedozie Ogbene back with Ireland squad after finalising deadline day moves. Opening World Cup qualifier v Hungary at Lansdowne on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/YCvie6Gnir

— John Fallon (@JFallonExaminer) September 2, 2025

“Every manager would like to have a top scorer across Europe,” the Icelander said of the striker who amassed 10 goals by the end of August.

“I feel for the player himself because he’s in such good form but we have good other options in that position. We can’t focus on the players who are not here.

“From what I hear there is a possibility he could miss the next camp.”

Chiedozie Ogbene and Adam Idah are training today having missed Monday’s session due to finalising deadline day moves.

Liam Scales (ankle) was the only doubt but all 23 players are reported available for Saturday’s game at Lansdowne Road (7.45pm).

Meanwhile, Hallgrímsson insisted managers have the right to accept or decline jobs, regardless of gender.

The question arose in the context of former Ireland women’s team manager Eileen Gleeson lodging an equality case with the circuit court on the grounds of discrimination against her as a female and the team she managed.

The difference in her annual salary and that of Hallgrímsson's when they managed the respective teams up until her being relieved of her duties in December 2023 was €550,000.

“It is not for me to decide - I can only talk from my point of view,” said the Icelander when asked about the concept of parity.

“I was offered this job and it was my decision if I took it or refused it.

“A lot of coaches will do the same as I am doing for a lot more money for that. There are also a lot of coaches doing the same thing as I am doing getting less salaries than me.

“I can accept a job offer or refuse it - that is my right. That has nothing to with gender, in my opinion.

“Equal pay is for someone else to decide. It is the same with players. The highest paid players in the world do not play more games or do more training but they are valued higher.

“The evaluation is for someone else to decide.”

Asked if he was in favour of equality, he replied: “Well it depends on the job.”

Ireland’s quest to end a decade-long tournament drought – and a 24-year wait for World Cup appearances – hinges on a top-two finish over a six-game campaign over 10 weeks.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal are favourites to claim the one automatic ticket to the finals co-hosted by USA, Mexico and Canada, with Hungary, Ireland and Armenia jostling for second and with it entry into the playoffs.

Uefa’s computer, based on TV contracts, generated the fixture schedule but Hallgrímsson is glad to be opening the series by hosting the Hungarians.

They have qualified for three European Championships in a row but have not tasted a World Cup appearance since 1986.

"It feels like it,” when asked if the match against the side captained by Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai is a must-win for qualification.

“We're not hiding away from that. It's a really important game for us if we want to qualify for the World Cup.

“Getting a good result is first and foremost good for confidence, putting us on the front foot.

“It wouldn't matter who the opponents are but Hungary are our biggest rivals in the group.

"All of the things we have done in my time as manager have been leading up to this one.

“We have all agreed that, if we could have organised how we play in this group, we'd probably have done it this way by starting with Hungary at home.”

The 58-year-old has urged the Irish public to fill the 51,000-seater Lansdowne arena.

"I hope people understand how important this game is and they come out in numbers,” he said.

“I think there's just a few hundred tickets left so I hope it will be a sell-out - that the support and love for the team will continue.

"Saturday will be magical. I have said before that if we win these games and get good results, everyone will be chasing us.

“But if we lose against Hungary, we will be chasing to the end of the campaign so it's hugely important.”