Stephen Kenny urges players to make their mark in Amsterdam, hopeful Evan Ferguson will be fit

Stephen Kenny is cautiously optimistic that Evan Ferguson will be fit to face the Netherlands in Saturday's Euro 2024 encounter in Amsterdam.

The young Brighton striker was on the injured list when the squad reported for duty ahead of this week’s double-header, with Ireland also playing a friendly international against New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday.

Ferguson, along with Chiedozie Ogbene, Jamie McGrath and Will Smallbone needed injury scans after arriving in Dublin, and while the manager is not expecting all four players to make it, he is hopeful the teenage star to be available for selection.

Ferguson missed the vital international window in September through injury, proving unavailable for the crucial games against France in Paris and the Dutch in Dublin, however, this time around, the former Bohemians forward is suffering from a different strain.

"I'm cautiously optimistic, we'll see," said Kenny, when asked whether he was optimistic if Ferguson would be available.

"September was a little bit different because obviously he had the knee pain and it's not that this time and he's been brilliant.

"He could easily have been ruled out because he wasn't available for his club at the weekend and Evan has been terrific, he's reported, he's determined to play this week and he's shown a great attitude, a brilliant attitude coming in.

"He seems to be really positive in his outlook and we'll see how he goes between now and the weekend. But he's shown a great determination to come in this week and want to play."

And Ferguson will be a key member of the squad should Kenny’s side realise the manager’s aim of securing a famous away win in Amsterdam.

Ireland have not had many great away victories in World Cup or Euros qualifiers