Stephen Ireland has hinted that he could reconsider his current stance of not make himself available for the new Republic of Ireland manager.
The 27-year-old, who has joined Stoke City on a season-long loan deal from Aston Villa, has not played for his country since 2007, when he lied about the death of his grandmother to drop out of the squad for a European Championship qualifier.
Giovanni Trapattoni was sacked as the boss last week, and although Ireland's current focus is on rebuilding his career at the Potters, the midfielder has admitted that an international return is not out of the question.
He told reporters: "I think I would like to get together and have a chat and try to put everything on the table, put across ideas and just have a good general chat. If nothing comes out of it, nothing comes out of it, but I think it would be nice just to have a chat.
"It was my decision to leave Ireland and it's probably going to be my decision to go back if the manager asks, whoever they appoint. It all depends who the new manager is. It's a long time away yet, I think.
"First and foremost it is just Stoke City on my mind. I need to get 10, 15, 20 games under my belt first and see how I go with that. Then maybe I might get in a position where Ireland want me to play and we could have a further conversation."
Former Villa manager Martin O'Neill is the odds-on favourite to take over the Ireland hot seat.
Joe Fish
