'A good prospect' - Kenny expects experience of call-up will aid Evan Ferguson for the future

Stephen Kenny explained his decision to bring untested striker Evan Ferguson into the Ireland squad ahead of the upcoming friendly fixtures against Norway and Malta.

The Ireland manager believes that the 18-year-old is a "good prospect", while admitting that his elevation to the senior squad has arrived earlier than anticipated.

Kenny is hoping that the young centre-forward can go out on loan from Brighton in the New Year with the possibility of playing his way into contention for the March and June international windows, which herald the start of Euro 2024 qualification.

"Evan is very young, there's no doubt he hasn’t played many games but he’s been really exceptional coming through the ranks all the way up at international level," said Kenny, speaking at this afternoon’s press conference.

"He’s someone we regard highly, and he obviously has different attributes to the strikers that we have.

"I know it’s an early promotion for Evan. I suppose the way I have to look at it, if Evan goes on loan in January, which is quite possible - between March and June is a key time for us – we can’t predict how he will do, but if he went and did well and got regular gametime and scored goals, he could easily come into the picture.

"It can change that quickly. He scores different types of goals, he scores great headed goals which is rare enough now, we are not producing that type of player. He’s a natural goalscorer and it will be good experience for him in the squad."

Kenny named his 26-man squad for the upcoming games, which sees Ireland face Norway at the Aviva Stadium next Thursday, before flying to Malta for a second game on Sunday week, and the manager admitted that he named an extra forward due to the fact that there is a doubt over the