Brighton’s in-form striker Evan Ferguson has pulled out of the Republic of Ireland squad with a knee injury.
According to the Sussex Express, Ferguson was assessed by Ireland’s medical staff when he joined up with the squad, and he has now withdrawn from the squad following a knee injury he picked up on Saturday afternoon’s 3-1 win against Newcastle United.
The 18-year-old has been starting for Brighton as of late, scoring his first Premier League hat-trick on Saturday as he scored all three of Brighton’s goals.
He joined up with the Ireland squad on Sunday but the decision has been made that Ferguson will not feature in this break, meaning he will miss their both if their Euro qualifiers against France and the Netherlands.
Ireland are currently third in their group of five, three points off a qualification spot.
How big of a blow is the Evan Ferguson injury for Ireland and Brighton
For Stephen Kenny’s Ireland this is a big blow. Ferguson would arguably be Ireland’s best player going into this break, and with two of their most importunate games coming up, they will be gutted he is missing out.
Ireland realistically need a good result in Paris against France on Thursday to keep their hopes for qualifying Euro 2024 alive.
For Brighton, it is not expected to be a long-term injury, so both the club and player will be hoping he is fit in time for their first game back against Manchester United, and then their first game playing in Europe in the club’s history as they face AEK Athens in the group stage of the Europa League.
Ferguson has scored four goals in the opening four games of the Premier League season.