Stephen Kenny is hoping Evan Ferguson will play "a significant part" in the Republic of Ireland's clashes against Latvia and France, but admitted Adam Idah may yet have to pull out of the squad due to a foot injury.
Ireland face the Latvians in a friendly at the Aviva Stadium next Wednesday before hosting the French in an incredibly tough opening Euro 2024 qualifier. The beaten World Cup finalists are first up in a group that also includes the Netherlands, Greece and Gibraltar.
It's a huge challenge for the Boys in Green, but 18-year-old Ferguson's remarkable impact at Brighton and Hove Albion over the last few months offers some hope they can trouble Didier Deschamps' aristocrats.
Ferguson's two appearances for Ireland to date have come off the bench. The clamour for him to start against France is growing, and while Kenny was coy on who will make the first XI, he did not hide his intention to use the forward in some capacity.
"Even from our last window he's made a rapid rise."
"You can't pick your team too early in these circumstances," the manager said after naming his 26-man squad on Thursday.
"Evan has a game on Sunday [Brighton play Grimsby Town in the FA Cup] and then it's a quick turnaround to Wednesday to the Latvia game. But we're hoping that he comes through Sunday and he can play a significant part in the window.
"We need starters and players to come on as well, particularly with the level of intensity of the French game. That's something we'll have to consider.
"Evan has had a rapid rise really. From briefly playing with Bohemians as a 14-year-old to playing regularly now in the Premier League. Even from our last window he's made a rapid rise.
"He's made it look easy at times. He always seems to make good decisions and has a variety of attributes. He leads the line well, he links the play well and he has the capacity to score goals."
When asked about Idah's fitness, he added: "He got a foot injury and he had to leave in the first half [of Norwich City's draw at Huddersfield]. He left the ground on crutches and he'll have a scan [on Friday], so we're not really sure. He asked not be ruled out. We'll have to wait and see how he is."
Mikey Johnston is the new face in the camp having received FIFA international clearance to represent the Ireland last week. The 23-year-old Glasgow-born Celtic winger is currently on loan at Portuguese Primeira Liga side Vitoria Guimaraes.
"He has different characteristics that will add to the squad I feel but we mustn't expect a major impact in this camp," Kenny said. "It's a good introduction for him."
Elsewhere Conor Hourihane, Robbie Brady and Swansea City's in-form wing-back Ryan Manning all missed out with the boss underlining his faith in Callum O'Dowda to shine on the left side.
"We've several players in that position... I think it's just Callum O'Dowda's form. Callum has been in my opinion probably Cardiff's player of the year this year.
"He offers us something different as well - he's quick, dribbles at pace and he's very direct. Ryan Manning is an excellent player, there's no doubt and offers different qualities... a really good footballer."
Ultimately, no matter who lines up at Lansdowne Road to face France on Monday week, it's going to be require a monumental Irish performance to avoid defeat.
The world's number three-ranked team do have a tough game against the Dutch prior to their trip to Ireland, but they possess a daunting depth of talent with no glaring weaknesses.
"They won the World Cup in 2018 and lost recently on penalties [against Argentina] to win consecutive World Cups. They've been a phenomenal team," Kenny said.
"We've been building our own team for the last couple of years for this campaign and we're excited by that. Not many neutrals would give us a chance against France because of their pedigree and because of what they have achieved. We're fine with that, but we are capable of putting in a strong performance against anyone really.
"I think the characteristics of our forward players are completely different to what they were two years ago.
"All of a sudden we've got players like Chiedozie Ogbene, Michael Obafemi, Adam Idah, Evan Ferguson, Troy Parrott, players who are direct, quick and can play different ways.
"Obviously there's Will Keane and Mikey Johnston, who is a dribbler, to supplement, so now we've got different qualities. We've got quite potent attacking players I feel and alot of potential there.
"We want to be strong against Latvia. We want to put in a strong performance and bring the confidence from that into the French game."
Republic of Ireland Squad for Latvia and France
Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Atletico Madrid), Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City), Nathan Collins (Wolverhampton Wanderers), John Egan (Sheffield United), Dara O'Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Callum O'Dowda (Cardiff City), James McClean (Wigan Athletic)
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Jeff Hendrick (Reading), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Jason Knight (Derby County), Will Smallbone (Stoke City, on loan from Southampton), Jamie McGrath (Dundee United), Mark Sykes (Bristol City)
Forwards: Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United), Michael Obafemi (Burnley), Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Troy Parrott (Preston North End, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Will Keane (Wigan Athletic), Mikey Johnston (Vitoria, on loan from Celtic)
France squad for Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland
Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham United), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Lens)
Defenders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Wesley Fofana (Chelsea), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: Youssouf Fofana (Monaco), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Khephren Thuram (Nice), Jordan Veretout (Marseille)
Forwards: Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Moussa Diaby (Bayer Leverkusen), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Randal Kolo Muani (Eintracht Frankfurt), Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain), Marcus Thuram (Borussia Moenchengladbach)
