Roma striker Evan Ferguson will miss the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup play-off after being ruled out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury.
Ferguson’s loan spell at Roma is also likely to come to an early end and he will return to parent club Brighton and Hove Albion to undergo surgery.
The 21-year-old has scored five goals in 22 appearances for the Serie A club but his season has been hampered by a number of injuries.
“It is now clear that he will finish the season here and will have surgery on his ankle, he will no longer have time to recover even in the end of the season,” Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini said ahead of Sunday’s game at Genoa.
The Republic of Ireland face the Czech Republic on 26 March in a play-off semi-final and either Denmark or North Macedonia in a final if they win in Prague.
Ferguson scored three goals for Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side in the qualifying campaign, but he missed the win over Portugal and dramatic last-gasp victory in Hungary that secured the play-off through injury.
Should the Republic of Ireland qualify for a first World Cup since 2002 they would be in Group A with co-hosts Mexico, South Korea and South Africa.