The pace of either Chiedozie Ogbene and Michael Obafemi could be a potent asset for Ireland in the upcoming international window - but Evan Ferguson has already established himself as the leading attacking option, according to former Irish striker Stephen Elliott.
The 18-year old Ferguson has yet to make a senior competitive appearance for Republic of Ireland, but has rapidly emerged as the most exciting Irish prospect in years, with seven goals for Brighton since New Year's Eve, with a brace arriving in their quarter-final demolition of Grimsby Town last Sunday.
For Elliott, the question is no longer whether Ferguson plays against Latvia and France, but who Stephen Kenny opts to partner alongside him.
"It depends on what Stephen's thinking but whoever he goes with, definitely Ferguson is the number one choice," Elliott said on the RTÉ Soccer Podcast.
"He looks like he's been around for years and years, the way he plays. He got a couple of great goals in the FA Cup at the weekend. It's the composure he shows for someone so young.
"It's exciting to have someone so talented and doing so well in the top league.
"Everyone keeps saying you shouldn't get too carried away. But it's very hard not to after what we've experienced in the front areas in the last seven years since Robbie Keane retired."
Among Ireland's other striking options, Adam Idah had been ruled out by Norwich City manager David Wagner but has subsequently joined the squad in an effort to prove his fitness before the French tie, while Troy Parrott is back playing after a prolonged period out with injury.
However, Elliott sees Obafemi, so impressive against Scotland in last summer's 3-0 Nations Cup win, or Ogbene as the best foil for Ferguson.
"Ogbene's done quite well at Rotherham. He's done okay for Ireland when he's played.
"Troy Parrott's just come back from injury, I don't know whether he'll enter the reckoning. Obafemi is in a squad that are playing right at the top of the Championship.
"If you're going to play someone up there with him, I'd go with someone with a bit of pace. So, I'd be thinking either Ogbene or Obafemi. They'd be a good outlet to run off him. Because Ferguson can play that target man role - he can do more than that as we've seen."
Ireland added another attacking option in the final third with Glaswegian-born Celtic player Mikey Johnston - currently on loan with Vitória Guimarães in Portugal - declaring for the his grandfather's country.
"He's a good option for Stephen. By all accounts, he's done well in Portugal after having a disappointing time with injury.
"He has a fair bit of experience from before his injury, playing for Celtic in high profile games. He's a dribbler, he's quite direct and he'll bring something a little bit different into the squad. We'll probably see him in the Latvia game, whether he'll start, that'll be up to Stephen.
"The Portuguese league, and the tempo of the games are probably different to the British leagues but there are some big clubs out there and he's up against some good players. You're always going to the comparisons between Aiden McGeady, what with being from Glasgow and Irish. But if he can be half as good as Aiden was in an Irish shirt, he'll be doing okay."
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