Evan Ferguson returns to training ahead of Brighton's Old Trafford trip
Evan Ferguson has shaken off the knee injury that forced him to miss Ireland duty and could return at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The Brighton and Hove Albion striker grabbed the headlines in the final Premier League series before the international break by grabbing a hat-trick in the win over Newcastle United.
News that emerged 48 hours later of a knee injury that meant he left the Ireland camp ahead of their Euro qualifiers against France and Netherlands was later clarified by Stephen Kenny in Paris.
“I don’t think it was well reported as an injury in the game, in the challenge, that’s not the case actually,” said the Ireland manager.
“It is one that he’s been playing on, the patellar tendon injury, a knee injury that he has had some pain in.” Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi was provided an update on the 18-year-old’s fitness today, not ruling him out of Saturday’s Premier League visit to Manchester United.
"Evan Ferguson returned to training yesterday. We will see how he is this afternoon and tomorrow morning,” said the Italian.
That progress report at least allay fears of an extending layoff. Ireland are effectively out of the hunt to qualify for next year’s Euros but require all the enforcements they can get for the rematch with Greece on Friday, October 13.
Ferguson played in the 2-1 defeat in Athens in June, a defeat which places them in jeopardy for finishing fourth in Group B. Roberto de Zerbi spoke of his first trip to face Erik ten Hag’s 11th place team at Old Trafford.
"It will be an honour for me to coach in this stadium but I don't go there as a tourist,” De Zerbi said. “We want to play in the right way and to win.
“Manchester United is still a great team in Europe. There will be a great atmosphere but
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