Prague – Ireland’s hopes of reaching the World Cup have been dealt a significant blow with star striker Evan Ferguson facing a race against time to be fit for the crucial playoff against the Czech Republic on March 26th. The 21-year-old, currently on loan at AS Roma, has been battling persistent ankle issues and has returned to his parent club, Brighton & Hove Albion, for further assessment.
The situation casts a shadow over Ireland’s preparations for the high-stakes match, with manager Heimir Hallgrímsson acknowledging the unlikelihood of Ferguson’s participation. The Republic of Ireland secured their playoff spot after a hat-trick from Troy Parrott in a November victory against Hungary, but now face a potential void up front as they aim to qualify for the tournament. The uncertainty surrounding Ferguson’s availability adds another layer of complexity to an already challenging fixture.
Ferguson’s Injury History and Roma Struggles
Hallgrímsson revealed that Ferguson will consult with a specialist on Friday to determine the extent of his injury and potential recovery timeline. “It is going to be a challenge for Evan now, to regain fitness and match sharpness,” Hallgrímsson stated. “He is going to visit a specialist on Friday so we will know more then but it is looking unlikely that he will be with us in March at least. We need to be prepared for that.” Ferguson has struggled with ankle problems since joining Roma last summer, suffering four separate sprains, according to his manager Gian Piero Gasperini, as reported earlier this month.
The physical demands of Serie A appear to have taken a toll on the young forward. Hallgrímsson noted that Ferguson was in excellent condition upon arriving at Roma, describing him as “the lightest I’d seen him since [2024]” and “the sharpest too.” However, the twice-daily training sessions at the Italian club proved to be a new challenge. Despite the setbacks, Ferguson has made 22 appearances for Roma, scoring five goals.
Parrott Set to Lead the Line
With Ferguson’s participation in doubt, Troy Parrott is now expected to lead the attack for Ireland in Prague. Parrott’s recent form, highlighted by his hat-trick against Hungary, has solidified his position as a key player for Hallgrímsson’s side. However, the manager expressed concerns about the lack of alternative options in the forward line.
“It is tough because Adam Idah might have one game coming back from injury for Swansea [before the Czech match] and he won’t start, so it is unlikely Adam will be ready,” Hallgrímsson explained. “Johnny Kenny is not playing much for Bolton, so hopefully he will start and start scoring. We do not have many options up front from players who are flying at the moment.”
Midfield Concerns Following Cullen Injury
The injury situation extends beyond the forward line, with Hallgrímsson also expressing concern over finding a replacement for Burnley captain Josh Cullen, who suffered an ACL tear in December. Cullen’s absence leaves a significant void in the Irish midfield. “Josh has been the anchor in the team. Now we need to uncover a solution in a critical area, especially playing away to a Czech team that are a really physical team, especially their midfielders,” Hallgrímsson said.
The manager indicated that he is hesitant to experiment with untested players in such a crucial match. While captain Nathan Collins has previously filled a midfield role effectively, Hallgrímsson appears unlikely to redeploy him from defense. The potential midfield options include Jason Knight, Jayson Molumby, Conor Coventry, and Jack Taylor, but Hallgrímsson admitted that none are currently playing at their peak form.
Hallgrímsson reflected on similar challenges faced in November, stating, “It was the same situation in November. We’d a lot of players not playing well, or not playing, or not scoring, but we still did pretty well.”
The Republic of Ireland face a challenging task in Prague, not only against a physical Czech side but also in navigating a growing injury list. The team will need to draw on resilience and tactical flexibility to overcome these obstacles and retain their World Cup dreams alive. The coming days will be crucial as the medical team assesses Ferguson’s condition and Hallgrímsson finalizes his squad for the playoff encounter.
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