Heimir Hallgrimsson ‘positive’ Evan Ferguson will be fit for Portugal and explains Kevin O’Toole’s shock call-up

Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrímsson has called in Kevin O’Toole as cover for left-back for the qualifiers against Portugal and Hungary. Photo: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Heimir Hallgrimsson says he is “positive” Evan Ferguson will be fit in time to face Portugal in next Thursday’s huge World Cup qualifier at Lansdowne Road.

The striker was included in the Ireland manager’s 25-man squad this morning ahead of the final two qualifiers, despite concerns over an ankle injury as he was forced off after just seven minutes in a Serie A game for Roma last week.