Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson confirms Evan Ferguson will not be involved against Hungary

Ireland's Evan Ferguson. Pic: James Crombie/Inpho

Ireland must embark on Sunday’s must-win mission against Hungary without striker Evan Ferguson, whose ankle injury continues to sideline him.

Heimir Hallgrímsson suggested after Thursday’s massive 2-0 win over top seeds Portugal that the 21-year-old could recover in time to travel to Budapest but he remains in Italy on a specialist training programme.

His absence was more than compensated by Troy Parrott’s comeback from injury to the team, scoring a first-half brace.

The Ireland manager also admitted he’s ‘tempted’ to select the same XI that performed so proficiently against the Portuguese, inflicting a first away World Cup qualification defeat on them for nine years.

Séamus Coleman hasn’t played two full games within a 72-hour period this season but his experience and leadership could be essential as Ireland go about stunning Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai at a packed 67,000-seater Puskás Arena in his home city.

The hosts require just a draw to consolidate the runners-up berth, elevating them into next week’s draw for the playoffs in March.

“I'm tempted to play the same team,” said Hallgrímsson. “Will I do it? I don't know.

“The confidence is there and the belief is there. We will see how they are in training and take it from there.

“We said we would always take it if we go to the final match and we still have a chance. We love the fact that it's in our hands now.

“Everything is in our hands and we’ll grab it.” 

Caoimhín Kelleher made his Ireland debut in this city, a scoreless draw during the Covid-19 era of 2021.

Despite his club strides, success on the international front has eluded him but he can sense the excitement of being at the business end of the campaign.

“Thursday was a big occasion for us as a team,” admitted the Cork-born goalkeeper.

“When you get a big win like that, it gives everyone a big boost and fills the whole team with a lot of confidence.

“I think we were due a big victory like that for a while now. All that does now is set it up for us on Sunday.

“We enjoyed that victory obviously but I think pretty soon after the game attention turned towards this match and how important this is.

“All that matters now is Sunday. We're going to go into Sunday now ready and prepared.”