Kenny: Norway still pose threat without Haaland

Stephen Kenny has warned the Republic of Ireland not to be taken in by the absence of Norway dangerman Erling Haaland.

The manchester city forward will miss tonight’ s friendly at the Aviva Stadium through injury but, while he has plundered 23 goals for his club already this season, kenny does not want his players to be lulled into a false sense of security.

Asked if his game-plan had changed as a result of ha a land' s misfortune, he said: "I don't think it changes that much.

"Norway have a lot of players playing at a good level, they are all good players. The highest profile is their captain, Martin Odegaard, who is an exceptionalplayer, for sure. they have players in Laliga and other top leagues, so they have shown themselves to be a good team."

If 22-year-old Haaland has enjoyed a sensational start to his Premier League career, Ireland have a teenager among their ranks who also dreams of making his mark in England's top flight. Eighteen-year-old Brighton frontman Evan Ferguson is in the senior squad for the first time having been handed his Premier League de but as a substitute last season.

Kenny, who has promoted the frontman from the Under-21s after a series of impressive displays, is conscious he still has a long way to go, but is confident he has a big future in the game.

Asked if he could figure against Norway or in Malta on Sunday, Kenny said: "It is premature. We rate him highly, he has come through the underage international teams and he has been very, very good. He is someone who has achieved a lot in his tender years. He has a chance of being involved, but no guarantees at the same time."