Ferguson and Parrott fitness boost for Republic of Ireland

Fifa World Cup qualifier: Portugal v Republic of Ireland

Venue: Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon Date: Saturday, 11 October Kick-off: 19:45 BST

Coverage: Live matter commentary connected BBC Sport website

Republic of Ireland adjunct caput coach John O'Shea says strikers Evan Ferguson and Troy Parrott are some successful contention to characteristic successful Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Portugal.

Ferguson was a uncertainty heading into campy pinch an ankle wounded that meant he was an unused substitute successful Roma's Serie A triumph complete Fiorentina past weekend.

Parrott returned to action for nan first clip since August aft recovering from a knee wounded erstwhile he came disconnected nan chair successful AZ Alkmaar's Eredivisie triumph complete Telstar.

"Evan took portion successful beautiful overmuch each nan training today, truthful really good," O'Shea said.

On Parrott, O'Shea added: "There's each chance, but you besides person to respect nan benignant of injuries he's had. We look aft nan subordinate first and foremost and hopefully past we tin make that determination person to kick-off.

"But what we're seeing is very positive. Everything, nan spot and nan powerfulness and nan velocity that he has is bully to see."

Parrott, 23, was successful fantabulous shape earlier his injury, scoring 10 goals successful 7 games successful nan Eredivisie and Uefa Conference League qualifying.

"Troy has been doing everything correct connected and disconnected nan transportation for nan past fewer years to beryllium nan champion master he can," added O'Shea.

"That's led to him perchance getting backmost that spot quicker from an wounded that could person kept him retired for longer too.

"It's superb to spot and evidently he was getting nan rewards earlier nan wounded too. The type of characteristic he is successful nan group arsenic well. Anyone that has that benignant of attacking talent is going to beryllium very important for us."

The Republic of Ireland's qualification hopes suffered a awesome rustle pinch a daze conclusion by Armenia successful Yerevan past month.

Heimir Hallgrimsson's broadside invited Armenia to Dublin connected Tuesday aft facing Portugal successful Lisbon.