Evan Ferguson to miss Ireland's World Cup play-off

The 21-year-old striker is set to undergo ankle surgery next week

Evan Ferguson will miss Ireland's World Cup play-off against Cezechia later this month. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Evan Ferguson will miss the remainder of the season, and so Ireland's World Cup play-off against Czechia on March 26, after it was decided he will undergo ankle surgery next week. 

Corriere dello Sport reported that the Irish striker is in Brighton where he had a medical consultation for a persistent ankle problem. It was decided surgery was needed, ending his season, and virtually bringing his time with Roma to an end. 

"Ferguson will undergo ankle surgery and will not have enough time to recover for the end of the season," Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini confirmed on Saturday afternoon.

Gasperini said last month that Ferguson has suffered four separate ankle sprains this season, his most recent coming when he was attempting to avoid a photographer during a game. 

The 21-year-old joined Roma on loan from Brighton during the summer. He has scored five goals in 22 appearances for the Serie A club. 

It remains to be seen where Ferguson will conduct his rehab from surgery - in Rome or in Brighton. Corriere dello Sport added that Roma will not exercise a €40m purchase option for Ferguson.