You never get a second chance to make a first impression and that’s why Evan Ferguson wanted to nail it the first time. The striker was outstanding on his Serie A debut for Roma in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Bologna and Heimir Hallgrimsson is hoping he can reproduce that form with Ireland. Ferguson has hit the ground running in Italy, making headlines and turning heads after smashing six goals in pre-season before the league opener at the weekend. And Hallgrimsson reckons Ferguson already looks a much stronger player than the forward who struggled after injury at Brighton and then on loan with West Ham. “The first impression is really good,” said the Ireland boss of the 20-year-old yesterday, having named him in his 23-man squad to face Hungary and Armenia. “Looking at him, he seems even fitter. The pictures without sleeves look great and his first (league) game was brilliant.” Hallgrimsson reckons Ferguson will need all that strength and power to hold his own in Italy’s top flight - but is adamant he can be a success. “It’s tough for a striker to play in Italy,” added the Ireland boss. “There’s not a lot of space and you’re up against physical defenders. But he’s coped with it really well and I hope he will bring that into our camp for these two games.” Meanwhile, Hallgrimsson is backing another physical specimen in Bosun Lawal to make his presence felt going into the World Cup campaign. The former Celtic man, 22, has made an impressive start to Stoke City’s Championship season, helping the Potters climb to top spot after three games. He has played at centre-back and in midfield, and is an option for the latter in this Irish squad even though he is listed in Hallgrimsson’s selection as a defender. In June, Lawal was a late call-up for the Luxembourg friendly but while he remains uncapped, he was working his way back from injury and earned this pick by right. The Ireland manager said: “He’s been excellent. He's one of the players that can play two positions really well. “At Stoke he's played two-and-a -a-half games as a centre-back, and one-and-a-half games in midfield, and it's no bother for him to step up again in another position. “He's been more or less injured since I came in, so that was good to have him in June and what he brings is both quality and physicality.” But Hallgrimsson would like to see the former Fleetwood Town man playing in midfield as much as possible for Stoke, because Ireland are already well stocked in defence. “We’ve a lot of similar quality players but he's taller, he's more physical, he's composed on the ball, really good in the air - he has something extra.”