After getting his first senior call up for Ireland in November, Evan Ferguson continues to plough ahead with his development at the top level.
The 18-year-old struggled for game time at Brighton earlier this season, after Graham Potter's exit to Chelsea - but Potter's replacement Roberto de Zerbi appears to have been turned by some impressive work from the Irishman during the World Cup break.
Ferguson has seen game time in both the Carabao Cup and the Premier League in the past fortnight and, judging by recent comments by de Zerbi, he can hope to see even more regular game time for the Seagulls in the coming weeks.
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Evan Ferguson: Brighton manager hails young Irishman
Evan Ferguson made the move to England at just 16, departing League of Ireland side Bohemians for the prospect of a future with Premier League side Brighton.
Given his age, scarcity of opportunities was perhaps to be expected for the Bettystown native, but he has begun to break through in recent weeks on the south coast.
Buoyed by the World Cup break, Ferguson has returned with a spring in his step. He scored his penalty in last week's Carabao Cup shootout defeat to Charlton Athletic, and got some Premier League game time under his belt against Southampton on St Stephen's Day.
Speaking earlier this week, Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi said he was impressed by the improvements from Ferguson in recent weeks, and said he was eager to give the youngster more game time:
He is a good player, very good, very young but very good player; and I would like to let him to play [more] I don't know how much time is in the game but I would like to give him the possibility [to play more].
And for me, it was a surprise, because I knew him, but not [as much as I do in] this last part this last period I know him better and he was a surprise.
I always I encourage the young player not only the young player but the younger player more. I want the younger players to not think to make a mistake, they don't have to be afraid, they have to enjoy, to think, and to play.
In November, Evan Ferguson made his debut for the Ireland senior team, in November's friendly defeat to Norway at the Aviva Stadium.
Only 18 years of age, but clearly imbued with an abundance of talent, more opportunities at international level will surely follow if Ferguson is given more game time at Brighton.
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