Heimir Hallgrímsson has received a much-needed positive update about two stalwarts of his Ireland team, just 10 weeks before the World Cup playoff semi-final against Czechia in Prague.
Recent weeks have brought some less-than-encouraging developments for crucial players, with Josh Cullen out of the semi-final on March 26th with a serious knee injury.
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Striker Adam Idah, too, is a doubt for the March window. The Swansea City star was sidelined for up to “three months” after sustaining a hamstring injury on St. Stephen’s Day – exactly three months from the playoff in Prague.
Thankfully, the latest fitness updates have thrown up two very positive developments.
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Ireland duo receive positive fitness update
Robbie Brady missed the entirety of Ireland’s World Cup qualifying group after suffering a calf injury early in the season with Preston.
Brady had been a pivotal part of Hallgrímsson’s team in the opening months of the Icelandic coach’s tenure. His late winner in Helsinki in October 2024 the finest moment of Hallgrímsson’s reign until November’s outrageous window of qualifiers.
One of the first names on the team sheet in the early months under Heimir, Brady has not played since June. However, his club manager Paul Heckingbottom has issued a hugely encouraging update on his fitness.
“[He’s] progressing well,” Heckingbottom said in his press conference on Friday.
“He’s probably getting held back for his own good by the medical team, because he’s feeling great.
I know he’s frustrated, he wants to be out there. But at least he’s running now, he’s making good strides and I always remember that feeling when you’re coming back from injuries.
When you get out on the grass it’s good and then all of a sudden you get bored of running; you want to get a ball.
Heckingbottom’s comments would appear to suggest Brady is in the mix to feature for Preston in the coming weeks, which would put him right in the mix to be selected by Hallgrímsson in Prague.
On top of the positive update on Robbie Brady’s fitness came one pertaining to his Ireland teammate Chiedozie Ogbene.
Sheffield United winger Ogbene has not played since pulling up with a hamstring injury while in on goal in Ireland’s dramatic 3-2 win in Budapest.
Curious recent reports had suggested that Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder had decided that Ogbene would no longer be a part of his plans, as the Corkonian remained on the sidelines.
However, Wilder would namecheck Ogbene in his press conference on Friday, hinting that the Irish international remains a key part of the squad.
An even more positive update is that Ogbene has returned to first team training, a hugely encouraging sign that he can be fit in time for Ireland’s do-or-die March window.
Ireland are on the cusp of World Cup qualification. The prospective returns of Robbie Brady and Chiedozie Ogbene would certainly be two massive boosts to their hopes of achieving that goal.
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