Evan Ferguson 'ready to go' as he aims to ignite season

Fit again striker Evan Ferguson is "ready to go" as he attempts to ignite both his own season and the Republic of Ireland's Nations League campaign in the coming days.

The Brighton man has played just a measly 120 minutes for club and country this season as an ankle injury hampered his progress with the in-form Danny Welbeck leading the line up top for the Seagulls since Ferguson's return to fitness.

He was an unused substitute in Sunday’s thrilling 3-2 comeback win over Tottenham but the 19-year-old is hoping that the games against Finland and Greece this week can provide an outlet to again show his worth.

"It’s obviously not easy as a player [being injured] but it’s probably the first period I’ve had of it and people will tell you to expect the up and downs," Ferguson said ahead of Thursday clash with Finland in Helsinki.

"When you’re in it, it’s not a nice place but I’m out of it now and I feel good and I'm ready to go."

Ferguson’s currency is goals and he made headlines last September by becoming just the fourth Premier League player to score a hat-trick before their 18th birthday having hit Newcastle for three. Given that two of the three others who achieved that feat were Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen, the late Chris Bart-Williams the fourth, then it’s not surprising that there was such interest in his prodigious talents.

Since that day though, Ferguson has only found the net three times for Ireland or Brighton and is still to get off the mark this season.

Despite the wait, the Meath man has said that he’ll not be forcing it if given the opportunity to start for Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side.

"Obviously it’s good to score goals as a striker, (it’d) maybe get me back into a flow of getting that rhythm of back scoring goals