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Adam Idah feeling the heat but primed for Athens adventure

Adam Idah posing by the pool in the Turkish resort of Antalya
Adam Idah posing by the pool in the Turkish resort of Antalya

As the clouds finally rolled in over Dublin Bay to call time on a sustained sunny spell in the capital, the Republic of Ireland senior team were getting put through their paces in 32-degree heat.

On the road, ahead of next week's Euro 2024 qualifier in Athens, Stephen Kenny’s side are working on a game-plan to bring home all three points from the Greece encounter, yet for this nine-day camp in Antalya, acclimatisation is just as important.

The two-game international window marks the beginning of the end of the European soccer season, however, for Adam Idah, the young striker is raring to get going.

Joining a virtual press conference from the sunny Turkish resort, Idah reveals that he is in the best shape possible and is primed to play should the manager ask him to lead the line against Greece next Friday, 16 June, or the following Monday back in Dublin against Gibraltar.

"Hot, I can tell you that, 32 degrees now," said Idah, when asked about the weather over at the training camp.

"It’s good to get some training in. A lot of us finished the season about three weeks ago now and have quite a long break so coming to Turkey and having this warm weather camp is going to do us great and prepare us right for Greece."

Adam Idah came on as a sub against France in March

Idah had a slow start to the season in England, coming back from a serious injury, but since December, the striker resumed his role in attack for Norwich and ended the campaign with 25 league appearances.

Likewise, his Ireland career was put on hold while he was out injured, and he almost missed the March international window due to a foot injury.

The Cork native said that he was far from fully fit when he returned with his club but now feels like he is back to his best and ready to contribute to the cause.

"I think I feel as fit as I can be right now," said Idah. "Fingers crossed it stays that way but really now I just want to keep the head down and focus on the games. Physically I’m all good.

"I came back in December and I was probably at about 70%. I've played every game since for Norwich so playing these games, starting and coming on gave me a big help.

"Right now, I feel like I am back to normal fitness. We had three weeks off when the season finished and I did some running throughout then. We've come in here to do some training so I am feeling good, it is just about playing games and getting some minutes in."

Idah was ruled out of the friendly international against Latvia in March, which was part of the build-up to the opening game of this Euro 2024 campaign against France, however, he did play a role in the narrow defeat to the World Cup finalists, coming on for Evan Ferguson for the final 25 minutes of the 1-0 loss.

And now Idah is likely to go head-to-head with Ferguson for that starting position in Greece, however, there is also the possibility that Kenny could opt for an attack-based formation and include both strikers in his side.

"It would be great to play with Evan," said Idah. "He’s had an unbelievable season at Brighton. He scored in his first game [start] for Ireland as well.

"I think everyone knows he’s a fantastic player and who knows Evan and me could be playing together in Greece and, if not, we’ll both support each other and do the best we can for our country.

"In every team you need some friendly competition, for all of us, there’s not just Evan, there’s five of us forwards all chasing for the same spot and I think we’re all doing everything in the right way, we help each other achieve in the right way to the best we can.

"Whoever starts in any game I think we all support each other and try to do the best we can. That’s what so good about this team, there’s no ego in this team and we all try to help each other."

Idah in action for Norwich in December

Idah was a prolific scorer in the green jersey coming through the underage system, however, he has yet to hit the back of the net in any of his 14 appearances for the senior team.

The 22-year-old believes that he has helped the team when he has played, and refers to a previous Portugal encounter, which he felt was his best match, however, he accepts that it is part of his role as a striker to contribute with goals.

"I've played some good games for Ireland. I think the best one for me was probably the Portugal game. And obviously that was, what, two years ago now," said Idah.

"Obviously it can be frustrating not scoring goal, but for me personally, I feel like I've helped the team quite a bit.

"Obviously my job is to score goals and I'm sure that will come soon, but I just have to keep helping the team, that's the main thing."

Finland striker Teemu Pukki has helped Idah throughout his Norwich career

Idah feels that a departing team-mate at club level has been very influential in relation to his development and progression during his fledgling professional career.

And the former College Corinthians man is now ready to step into the shoes of Teemu Pukki, as the Finland international has played his last game at Carrow Road.

"Teemu was massive to me since I came in," said Idah. "When I first came to Norwich I wasn't playing many games, and I was really frustrated, but he helped me through that.

"On the pitch, he was fantastic. He's a great player to look up to with all the goals he has scored in Championships and the Premier League. He is a great professional.

"Every new season is a big opportunity for me. Obviously, it was difficult when he was at Norwich, he was the main man, and next season is going to be a big one for me to try to get myself in the team.

"But I think me and the manager know it's going to be a good opportunity for me to try to become the main striker at Norwich. I just have to be the best I can to get in.

"With Teemu leaving, now I've got a big chance on my shoulders and I just have to grab that opportunity and take it."

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