Chiedozie Ogbene to be fit and flying for start of Ireland's World Cup qualifying campaign
Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has confirmed that Ipswich Town's Chiedozie Ogbene will be fit and raring to go when the national team's 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign gets underway in September.
The former Cork City man hasn't played since rupturing his Achilles tendon during his club's Premier League 4-3 defeat to Brentford in late October but the news is positive in time for Ireland's Group F openers at home to Hungary and away to Armenia.
'Yeah, he will be available,' said Hallgrimsson as he prepares his current squad for two June friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg. 'According to him, he is going to be the fittest player in pre-season so definitely in September he will be ready for us.'
Chiedozie Ogbene of Ipswich Town arrives prior to the Premier League match between Ipswich Town and Fulham. Pic:The news on Seamus Coleman is less clear.
The Everton skipper had been named in the initial Ireland squad released three years ago but he has since dropped out having injured his ankle just 18 minutes into the club's last game at Goodison Park earlier this month.
The Donegal man has been sidelined for three weeks. One of 17 players out of contract at the Premier League club this season, he has been reassured by manager David Moyes that he has a role to play next season.
It appears that this will be something of a player-coach hybrid role and Hallgrimsson was also asked on Thursday whether the 36-year-old would be a part of Ireland's plans come the autumn and, if so, in what guise.
'He is a leader in this squad and you cannot have his experience in many players,' said the Irish boss. 'His experience, his leadership skills are one thing, but his quality as a player is another thing as well.
'He's been playing at the highest level for such a long time, so it's a shame for me and, of course the national team, not to have him around, but hopefully there will come another time for him. Hopefully, it will be just the off-season and he'll come fit and flying.
'I know he's going to be at Everton in whatever role, maybe a little bit more leadership role, but it's for him to answer if he's going to continue playing or not. It's his decision, but I'm hoping – and I know the Evertonians are hoping - he will continue playing.'
The only other changes to the squad Hallgrimsson put out three weeks ago is the absence of Sammie Szmodics, whose ankle swelled up after Ipswich Town's last league game at the weekend, and the inclusion of Stoke City's Andy Moran.
Hallgrimsson has deliberately omitted a whole clutch of Championship players due to the gap between the end of that league season in early May and the first of the summer friendlies, against Senegal next week.
There is, he admitted, risk in this in that it could cost Ireland some of the momentum built up in the last window, with a flipside that it allows fresher faces to show what they can offer.
Whatever the pros and cons there, he is more than happy to have been handed a four-team qualifying group for the 2026 World Cup given it has delayed Ireland's start and avoided competitive games in a June window which has historically been problematic.
'It would have been tough having a similar squad to Bulgaria when we played them [in March] to have a lot of players who finished a month ago, keeping them fit for an important game. We couldn't have done what we did, given them an extended holiday and off-season so they will be fit in September so they will be rested when it comes to the new season.
'These guys we left out now and that's because the June window has not been successful for Ireland in the past. It's been a tricky window, not playing for a month and then coming into the national team camp for a game that's maybe on a higher level than you play on a regular basis. You are never 100% physically fit or mentally focused after a holiday period.
'So, yes, I am happy we are not playing World Cup group stage at this time.'
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