Overview
- Ferguson injured his left ankle in January during a Europa League match with VfB Stuttgart and had surgery on the same ankle in March.
- Hallgrimsson told reporters in Montreal this week that follow-up assessments showed more damage than first thought and that Ferguson will probably not be fully fit until around September or October.
- That recovery timeline makes Ferguson’s participation in Brighton’s pre-season unlikely and places his availability for Ireland’s September and October Nations League fixtures in serious doubt.
- The manager described this as another in a series of ankle problems for the 21-year-old and urged a cautious approach to rehabilitation rather than rushing a return.
- Ireland will lean on other attacking options, including Troy Parrott, while blooding younger players such as Jaden Umeh, and Ferguson’s delayed return could affect his club and international development after eight goals in 26 caps.