Ireland star Evan Ferguson has said he feels good ahead of the country's clash with Finland in Helsinki this Thursday.
Ferguson has finally overcome an ankle injury that he had been dealing with since last April. The Bettystown native had not been selected by new Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson after missing out on previous selections for the last two international windows.
Today, he claimed that he feels great, telling reporters, "We will have to wait and see. I feel good. I've been back now for a month or two, so I feel good. We will wait and see," Ferguson said to the Irish Independent.
Ferguson has found it hard to break into the Brighton & Hove Albion team since bursting onto the scene in 2022. Injury, as already mentioned, has been an issue, but selection decisions made by managers have also been a topic of discussion.
Evan Ferguson of Republic of Ireland, right, comes on (Photo By Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images).The Ireland forward now has another chance to kickstart his Brighton career. Ferguson revealed that he and Brighton's new boss, Fabian Hürzeler, have spoken about improvements he can make in his game.
On what they spoke about, Ferguson explained, "He's not really set challenges. He's just been talking to me about what I can do, what needs to be done in his eyes to get playing, and what he wants in his system. He's not really set any goals; he just wants me to come back and play as I can," Ferguson added.
"It's hard to say if I can fit into it [Hürzeler’s system] as I haven't played too much yet, but from the outside, it probably looks like it might suit me better [than Roberto De Zerbi’s system] on the front foot."
"You learn every day. I am good friends with Danny [Welbeck] and I see what he does every day in terms of preparation for training, regeneration, and that type of stuff. You learn something new every day."
Ireland will play at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium on Thursday, 10 October, and at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium the following Sunday.
However, the Republic of Ireland squad will have to face these teams without Callum O'Dowda, who has been ruled out of the squad.
O'Dowda, who played for Cardiff City in the 1-1 draw against Bristol City yesterday, will not travel through injury
Republic of Ireland Squad: Finland & Greece
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), Max O'Leary (Bristol City)
Defenders: Festy Ebosele (Watford, on loan from Udinese), Andrew Omobamidele (Nottingham Forest), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Mark McGuinness (Luton Town), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Liam Scales (Celtic), Robbie Brady (Preston North End).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), Jamie McGrath (Aberdeen).
Forwards: Adam Idah (Celtic), Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Chiedozie Ogbene (Ipswich Town), Kasey McAteer (Leicester City), Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich Town), Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar).
UEFA Nations League: Fixtures
10/10 - Finland vs. Ireland, Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, 7.45pm (9.45pm local time)
13/10 - Greece vs. Ireland, Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, Athens, 7.45pm (9.45pm local time)
