Teenage hotshot Evan Ferguson has been told that he could land regular first-team action with Brighton this season.
The 17-year-old Irishman has impressed Seagulls caretaker boss Andrew Crofts with his performances in the Premier League 2.
Ferguson already has a handful of first-team appearances under his belt, including a Premier League bow last February against Burnley.
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And he opened his senior goal account in their League Cup win over Forest Green last month.
The Ireland Under-21 international could be set for more first-team appearances this year, according to Crofts.
“He has a good chance of being in and around the squad,” said the interim head coach.
“The squad is very strong and competition in forward areas is really strong – there is a bit of work to do on that.
“But I think if he keeps progressing well, there could be chances at some point this season.”
Ferguson has hit the goal trail already this season for the second-string side, scoring four goals in three Premier League 2 games.
“He just needs to concentrate on doing what he is doing,” Crofts continued.
“If he is playing games for the 21s and learning his trade there and scoring goals, that is really important to help him have a better chance of getting closer to the first team.
“He has been in and around the first team in terms of a lot of training and then the cup games and a couple of Premier League squads.
“It is a case of making sure he is getting his game time regularly to help him develop.”
Ferguson caught the eye recently with a treble against Leicester in the PL2.
And he is expected to be named on Thursday afternoon in Jim Crawford’s squad for Ireland’s European Under-21 Championship play-off against Israel.
That tie takes place over two legs - in Tallaght Stadium on Friday September 23 and in Tel Aviv the following Tuesday.
“It’s that fine balance of what Evan needs,” said Crofts of the teen sensation.
“He is progressing well and it is just making sure his game time stays where it’s at and he keeps pushing to see where he can get in terms of in and around the first team squad.
“He has got a lot of different strengths. For a 17-year-old, he is physically very good in terms of handling that side of the game, he is a very powerful boy.
“He has got wonderful technique in terms of finishing – he knows how to find the back of the net in lots of different ways.
“He can also link the game in terms of connecting with the midfield and wide players.
“His game understanding for such a young player is very high, but he knows, of course, there is a lot to work on.
“As a person, he is very grounded, really motivated to get to where he wants to get to. He is progressing really well.”
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