Ogbene won't be held back for Hungary despite injury concerns
Chiedozie Ogbene during a training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Chiedozie Ogbene won’t be held back from starting against Hungary on Saturday despite Kieran McKenna’s concerns about his return to full fitness.
Ipswich Town sanctioned a loan move for Corkman to fellow Championship side Sheffield United on Monday’s deadline day to bolster his gametime prospects.
An Achilles rupture ended Ogbene’s season last October and Fermanagh native McKenna suggested his comeback to match sharpness could be gradual.
Heimir Hallgrímsson attached first-choice status to the winger until his injury and spoke excitedly about unleashing his prowess on Hungary, Armenia and Portugal during the qualification campaign that kicks off on Saturday at Lansdowne Road.
The Icelander won’t hesitate in restoring the 28-year-old to his team for the duel against the Hungarians that he’s treating as much-win.
“Chiedozie's speed is probably one of his superpowers and according to the numbers he is getting there and very close to his top speed,” said the Ireland boss.
“To do that in a game on a consistent basis is another thing. Obviously, he is lacking the match fitness or match experience that others will have.”
McKenna’s willingness to allow Ogbene depart the relegated Tractor Boys was influenced by recently recruiting another Irish international flanker, Kasey McAteer, for €14m.
Sammie Szmodics is also at Ipswich and can operate in a system that is likely to be 4-2-3-1 before a sell-out 51,000 crowd.
“Now we have three wingers at Ipswich, so one of our players needed to be on the bench,” reasoned Hallgrímsson before he offered a reprieve of levity.
“We just told Chieo to go somewhere else! No, I'm joking.
“The loan was a good solution if Chieo gets playing time. Hopefully Kasey will get more playing time at Ipswich too.”
Ryan Manning is tipped to replace the injured Robbie Brady at left-back but management are considering alternatives.
"Yeah, we have a lot of options. Like I said before, we have players with versatility that can play more than one position.
“We also have Liam Scales who can play left back for Celtic and Doc (Matt Doherty) has played there too.
“I might change my mind on the team this week. We have a lot of equal players and we’ll see what fits for facing Hungary.
“We have it in our mind but there’s still some thoughts about if this player fits better? We will see over the next few days of training.”
