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Adam Idah is the forgotten man, but Stephen Kenny's best option - Football Show

Adam Idah remains Ireland's best option in attack when he's healthy.



Dan McDonnell joined Will O'Callaghan on The Football Show to discuss Adam Idah.

Adam Idah returned from injury this week.

The young striker came off the bench and scored for Norwich in the League cup. Idah suffered a knee injury late last season and missed all of preseason. He was quickly thrust back into the squad at club level, which suggests he will be heavily involved once he's fully fit.

That's great news for Stephen Kenny's Ireland, who are suddenly struck with competition for their attacking places. Idah, Troy Parrott and Michael Obafemi will vie for different starting spots over the coming months and years.

Not to mention Evan Ferguson who is a rising star at Brighton.

But Dan McDonnell thinks Idah is Kenny's preferred starter for the foreseeable future.

"I still think Idah is the one that will [start for Ireland]," McDonnell said.

"With an injury free run, he's the one I can see playing more games than anyone else in the longer run. Maybe Parrott's development might change that opinion, but he's very much the type of number nine that Kenny likes.

"You see the faith he showed in him early doors. He put him in there."

Idah led the line for Kenny's under-21 sides more often than not. He excelled at that level with his quality technique, impressive physical qualities and natural finishing ability. At just 20 years of age, he proved himself capable of competing and starting against the better sides in the Premier League.

Now that he's 21, Idah will hope to kick on and lead Norwich back to the Premier League.

"The ceiling he hit with Norwich in the Premier League last year, before his injury, that four, five, six game run, I wonder is that the highest ceiling that any of those strikers have hit. In terms of playing well at Premier League level. And looking like a real threat.

"And showing signs of development.

"He's done that playing in a front two as well, at times for Ireland early on he played as a number nine in that front three...Idah had such a nightmare run with injuries...maybe in some ways it suits him that he's the forgotten man. He'll slip under the radar.

"But I think if he's fit and well in September, for the Ireland games, he'll be pushing to go straight in."

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Read more about

Adam Idah Ireland Michael Obafemi Norwich Stephen Kenny Troy Parrott