From Brendan Crossan in Abbotstown
REPUBLIC of Ireland assistant John O’Shea expressed surprise at the lack of game-time Evan Ferguson has received since joining West Ham United on loan in January.
Hailed as Ireland’s great white hope during the latter stages of Stephen Kenny’s managerial reign, the Brighton striker has found the going tough at the Hammers despite being reunited with his former Brighton manager Graham Potter.
While O’Shea said Ferguson looked “very sharp” in yesterday morning’s training session, it would be a major surprise if the Drogheda native started in the two Nations League games against Bulgaria (Plovdiv) on Thursday and Sunday (Dublin).
“It always is the case of any player that comes into the squad when you are trying to assess everything - can he start? How is he going to impact a game?
“But hopefully that will improve for the rest of the season and we’ll see what happens over the course of these next two games, but he looked very sharp in training this morning.”
Ferguson has scored four goals in 18 senior international appearances.
Nevertheless, O’Shea was surprised the 20-year-old striker hadn’t played more than a combined total of 90 minutes since hooking up with Potter again.
”Especially a former manager that obviously knows him well. But listen, there is big competition for places at Premier League clubs and obviously they probably felt there was a little niggling injury where they had to build up fitness too.
“Hopefully that will improve towards the end of the season and we will see Evan get more starts for the club. That will help massively.”
O’Shea added: “It’s a learning curve. And he has got to knuckle down in training and prove to us this week and to West Ham when he goes back that he deserves a start.
“If he gets the chance, whether it’s five minutes, 20 minutes or half-an-hour, that you show why you should be in the team.”
Adam Idah has scored 14 goals for Celtic this season (Jane Barlow/PA)
On current form, Troy Parrott and Adam Idah would appear to be the front runners for the two striking positions for the first leg trip to Plovdiv.
Parrott has bagged 17 goals in all competitions for AZ Alkmaar in Holland and Idah is on 14 at Celtic this season.
“It’s a huge plus,” O’Shea said of Parrott and Idah’s goalscoring stats.
“They are two players playing in Europe as well.
“Adam has another fight on his hands to get that starting spot in the Celtic team, he is obviously coming on and affecting games.
“That’s an ongoing one for himself. But the most important thing is they are coming into us fit and well, and obviously confident from scoring goals and playing well in Europe and playing on big occasions. The more that happens for Irish players, the better.”
O’Shea wouldn’t be drawn too much on former team-mate Damien Duff’s expressed apathy towards the national team, insisting that he wouldn’t keep track of who the Green Army are playing.
“No, listen, I’m fairly sure deep down that Damien knew who Ireland were playing.”
Heimir Hallgrimsson takes charge of only his seventh game as Ireland manager on Thursday night in Plovdiv with his record sitting at two wins (both against Finland) and four defeats, including a chastening 5-0 loss at the hands of England in Wembley last time out in November.
Meanwhile, Stoke City midfielder Andrew Moran and Southampton defender Ryan Manning have been called into the Irish squad following injuries to Will Smallbone and Callum O’Dowda.
“We have always spoken about a very competitive squad and very tight calls,” said O’Shea.
“Callum has been playing week in, week out with Cardiff, a really good level. Obviously, Andy was just out of the team at the minute but he’s had loads of minutes with Stoke.
“Will \[Smallbone\] has just got back into the Southampton team, played two good games against Chelsea and Liverpool but has picked up a little knock.
“With a short week and the intensity of the games… obviously, Ryan getting back into that Southampton team as well… so we’re delighted to have the two lads in.”
**Republic of Ireland Squad - UEFA Nations League versus Bulgaria Thursday & Sunday**
Goalkeepers: Caoimhín Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (Middlesbrough, on loan from AFC Bournemouth), Gavin Bazunu (Standard Liége, on loan from Southampton).
**Defenders:** Jake O’Brien (Everton), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O’Shea (Ipswich Town), Jimmy Dunne (Queens Park Rangers), James Abankwah (Watford, on loan from Udinese), Robbie Brady (Preston North End), Ryan Manning (Southampton).
**Midfielders:** Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), Mark Sykes (Bristol City), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough), Andrew Moran (Stoke City, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion).
**Attackers:** Evan Ferguson (West Ham United, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion), Adam Idah (Celtic), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Sinclair Armstrong (Bristol City), Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion), Rocco Vata (Watford).