Ferguson out until autumn with injury - Hallgrimsson

Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson said he doesn't expect striker Evan Ferguson to be fully fit until "September or October."

The 21-year-old underwent surgery on his left ankle in March after initially sustaining the injury after an awkward fall in a Europa League game against Stuttgart while on loan at Roma in January.

When asked if the forward would be fit enough to return for parent club Brighton in pre-season Hallgrimsson, speaking from Montreal where Republic of Ireland are preparing to face Canada in a friendly, said "no I don't think so" as the injury is more severe than initially feared.

"I spoke to him last time two or three weeks ago and it was more damage than the doctor thought in the beginning so he is probably fully fit some time September or October," he added.

Ferguson, who has scored eight goals in 26 Irish caps, faces a race against time to be fit for the start of Republic of Ireland's Nations League campaign later this year.

Hallgrimsson's side face away trips to Kosovo and Israel in September and then have home games against Austria and the Israelis in October in the extended first window.

The striker has been blighted by injury issues in recent seasons after breaking through for the Seagulls in the 2022-23 season in which he scored 10 goals in 25 games.

Given this is the fourth separate ankle issue Ferguson has had, Hallgrimsson wants the player to air on the side of caution and take his time with his recovery to avoid further problems.

"You never know, hopefully it will be sooner, but I think for him and everyone it would be wise to take this slowly and leave this injury in the past instead of rushing it."