Reading playmaker Liam Kelly rejects Ireland's call to 'keep his options open'

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill has confirmed that Reading midfielder Liam Kelly rejected a call-up to the latest squad in order to keep his options open about representing England.

The dual-national has been in the FAI's system since 2013 and was capped at both under-19 and under-21 level before receiving his first senior call-up last year.

He was named in O'Neill's provisional squad to make the trip to Antalya for Friday's international friendly with Turkey, but he was missing from the slimmed-down group of 25 that boarded the plane.

And the Republic of Ireland boss revealed to journalists at the squad's training camp that Kelly had informed him by text message that he didn't want to take his place in the final squad.

Basingstoke-born Kelly hasn't previously been on the radar of the England national set-up but his performances over the past 18 months for Reading have seen his stock rise considerably.

While it's unclear if the FA have been in touch with him, it does raise the possibility the FAI could see another promising player declare for their country of birth after Jack Grealish did so in 2017.

"You might want to ask about Liam Kelly, who I think wants to keep his options open at this minute," said O'Neill.

"Obviously he's born in England and wants to keep those options open and that's fine.

"What did I do? I did actually leave a message or two and he got back to me by text.

"I've always said here that it's the player's choice. It's exactly what it is and if he wants to think that England might come in, that's entirely his decision.

"He had not returned a lot of calls coming through at the time (when named in squad). Despite the fact that I knew where he was born, I thought that was okay.

"I spoke to his agent quite some considerable time ago and I think that was always going to be okay, I felt. He was in the squad before and had to pull out with a hamstring problem."

Another English-born member of the squad, West Ham United's Declan Rice, has been subject of admiration by England coach Gareth Southgate but he has re-affirmed his commitment to Ireland.

The versatile defender picked up the under-21 international player of the year gong at the FAI International Awards on Sunday before jetting off with the squad.

And the Londoner, whose grandparents emigrated from Co Cork, says he has no intention of following Grealish's lead and declaring for England.

"There’s no decision to be made, I’m here with Ireland and I’ve been called up by Martin. I’m really looking forward to this week and I’m looking forward to getting to know the boys better.

"I haven’t had a call from anyone at the FA. Not at all. England have never wanted me at underage level, it’s always been Ireland."