'It's not over until it's over' - Parrott on World Cup hopes

Republic of Ireland striker Troy Parrott says the Irish squad have not given up hope of progressing to next year's World Cup finals despite an underwhelming start to their qualifying campaign.

The AZ Alkmaar forward sat out the 2-2 home draw with Hungary and the shock 2-1 defeat by Armenia in Yerevan because of a knee injury.

He has been recalled to manager Heimir Hallgrimsson's squad for Saturday's Group F match away to Portugal and the return against the Armenians in Dublin on Tuesday.

With each country in the group playing just six games, the Republic of Ireland's ambitions of travelling to North America already look like a long shot.

"We lost the game in Armenia so now we have to concentrate on these two games and see what we can do and still try to qualify," Parrott said.

"It's not over until it's over. We have two more chances coming up now and all the focus is on the game on Saturday.

"It's a new camp. We can all sit around and dwell on the past or we can try and do what we can with what we have and where we are right now."

Parrott began his club season in the Netherlands impressively, scoring 10 goals in just seven matches, and was disappointed not to be able to play his part in the first two qualifiers.

"It was hard, especially the form I was in and the way I was playing. I was so excited for the camp and felt really confident coming in that I could really help the team, so to have that taken away was difficult.

"We all know it wasn't good enough [in Armenia]. Obviously, I wasn't in the game, so I don't really know how it felt.

"As a fan really watching it on the telly, I had the same feeling as everyone else. I think we could have played a lot better and ultimately got the win. It was disappointing."

The former Tottenham frontman believes the players must bear their share of the responsibility for the under-par display in Yerevan.

"People can blame the manager but the manager's not on the pitch playing. He puts the team out, gives the tactics, the players are out there, we have to also do it as well.

"It has to be a collective disappointment and all of us take the blame together. That's the way it has to be."

Parrott knows the Republic of Ireland face a formidable task against a Portugal side which is still being inspired by the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo, now 40 years old.

"The goals that he scores, how long he's done it for, it's amazing.

"We all know it's going to be a difficult game. We've played them in the past and it's always difficult with the quality that they have.

"We're going to have a game-plan going into the game. We have to try and stick to that game-plan and do our best to get a result out there."

The 23-year-old returned to action for his club at the weekend after six weeks on the sidelines, being given a 20-minute runout in a 2-1 win over Telstar.

"I feel good. I'm progressing really well and at this stage I just have to take it day by day and see where I am when the game on Saturday comes around," he added.

"Of course I'd love to play. I'm going to try and do everything I can to be available for the game but at this stage we'll just have to wait and see.

"This is probably the best I've played in my career, at the start of this season, with the goals and the performances, so to have it taken away, it was difficult to deal with.

"I feel confident and I feel fit so hopefully I can pick up where I left off."