By:
Mark Hendry
Evan Ferguson has suffered a fresh injury setback at AS Roma which rules him out vs Panathinaikos.
The 21-year-old striker has not had his troubles to seek this season during his loan stint.
Everton target Ferguson has had an up and down campaign with just five goals in all competitions.
Of course, the forward’s game is more than just numbers and there has been moments of magic including Ferguson’s brace vs Celtic in Glasgow.
Overall, though, his time in Italy has been a rollercoaster and his future remains up in the air.
With just a few days left of the January transfer window, it’s possible that his loan could be cut short.
And after the recurrence of an ankle injury ruled him out of facing the Greek giants, it has become more realistic.
Reports in Italy claim Ferguson “waved the white flag” over his issue and took himself out of contention.
Manager Gian Piero Gasperini opted to leave the striker at home.
Evan Ferguson suffers more injury problems at AS Roma
Which, coupled with Roma signing Robinio Vaz and Donyell Malen up front, Ferguson’s chances may be limited further.
The injury news will certainly come as a disappointment to Ferguson who had started to find his feet.
But for the Brighton loanee there has been too much speculation surrounding him this month.
It is understood Fulham want Ferguson as well as his Republic of Ireland teammate Troy Parrott.
The Cottagers want to bolster their frontline and see the two men as ideal candidates.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBhi6LBlXhw
However, it will all depend on Roma’s longer term plans for Ferguson until the end of the season.
Brighton shifted responsibility to Roma as to whether or not they planned to keep the Irishman.
And while director of football Frederic Massara was positive about Ferguson, nothing has been fully ruled out.
Other Italian clubs including Napoli like the marksman and have been keeping a close eye on his situation.
But, again, no decision has been made at this stage in the window.
Ferguson’s Roma future and transfer interest
Roma boss Gasperini, meanwhile, has been left with a crisis in attack after Ferguson’s problem.
New signings Malen and Vaz cannot play yet in Europe due to red tape.
Other forwards – Artem Dovbyk, Stephan El Shaarawy, Manu Koné and Mario Hermoso – are out.
So in all likelihood, Ferguson would have led the line had he been fit for the match.
Roma are enjoying a decent run in the Europa League right now.
The club sit sixth in the League Phase and are in pole position for an automatic spot in the knockouts.
Victory in Greece would guarantee that and a point should be enough, albeit not mathematically.
It depends on other results around the competition.
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