Update: 'A serious bruise' - Evan Ferguson forced off by injury in first half in Rome
Evan Ferguson of AS Roma is injured during the Serie A match between AS Roma and US Sassuolo Calcio at Stadio Olimpico on January 10, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Evan Ferguson has been forced off in the first half by injury in Roma's Serie A clash with Sassulo on Saturday evening.
The Irish striker picked up a knock in the glute early in the game and struggling to shake off the injury before being eventually replaced by Stephan El Shaarawy in the 40th minute, with the score 0-0.
Roma went on to win 2-0 with goals inside the last 15 minutes from Manu Koné and Matías Soulé. Afterwards manager Gian Piero Gasperini provided an update on Ferguson's fitness.
"He took a knock, a serious bruise, we'll see tomorrow. They are painful blows, he took more than one. I feel sorry for him. We'll see tomorrow but I don't think it's a muscular thing that will take days."
In an interview published before the game, Ferguson admitted he possibly underestimated the challenge of adapting to Serie A, calling it "one of the hardest things I’ve done".
In an interview with Sport Bible, the Ireland forward admits he lost himself at Brighton after a remarkable start to his Premier League career when he was regarded as a potentially €100m transfer target for bigger clubs.
Injuries and a goalscoring drought stalled that hype and Ferguson said he had to shut out that kind of outside noise.
“You see it in the newspapers and reports, but if you don't hear anything personally or you don't see anything on the table, you can't really let it affect you.
“It's all just talk at the end of the day. People are trying to make their money and make some headlines."
But Ferguson admits his confidence took a hit.
“Listen, football is not an easy game. I came in, started off really well and then had a few injuries. I stopped playing and sort of lost myself. I lost a bit of confidence.
“It's a difficult place to be in when you've gone from the highest of highs to experiencing those low points. I went from the highest to the lowest. I've learned a lot in the past two years or so about myself, both on and off the pitch.
“At the end of the day, you're the only person who can make it happen. There's a lot of outside noise, but you can't really pay too much attention to that. It's just you and what you do every day.”
His loan spell this season in Serie A with Roma has had ups and downs with manager Gasperini frequently demanding more from the Irishman. But the goals have started to come in recent weeks and Ferguson believes he has adapted.
“I remember Patrice Evra saying in one of his interviews that Italy is a completely different game. He also said England felt like he was on his holidays. I swear it’s one of the hardest things I’ve done.
“It’s not easy to come to a new place and hit the ground running. It’s a completely different league with different play styles. I think when you come over, people expect things to happen straight away, but it just doesn’t work like that.
“It has taken some time. There have been ups and downs, but now I’d say I’m pretty settled. I’m in a good place physically and mentally, and know where my head’s at. I’m ready to build on what I’ve been doing so far.”
"I've had some difficult times. I wanted to get back to myself at Roma and get back to scoring goals. I just want to have a smile on my face and enjoy it all.”
Ferguson says he watched Troy Parrott's famous Budapest hat-trick in a Roman bar. Of Parrott's heroics, he said. “Looking back, it was probably one of the best international campaigns anyone has ever had.
“We obviously haven't gone to a major tournament in a while, so to be able to get there would be really special."
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