According to reports, Martin O'Neill is looking into the possibility of convincing Liverpool full-back Jon Flanagan to switch allegiance and West Ham's Mark Noble to follow suit from England to the Republic of Ireland.

The Granny's Boys rule was a tactic which was used to good effect during the Jack Charlton era and has continued to add to Ireland's player pool including the likes of Ciaran Clark, Anthony Pilkington and James McCarthy. 

But apart from Flanagan, the Premier League does have a crop of players who are eligible for the Boys in the Green, although whether any of these players have a real desire to wear the green shirt is a different matter...

 

Kyle Naughton

The Tottenham full-back was part of a tug of war between the FAI and the English FA five years ago. But Naughton went on to represent the England U21s between 2008 and 2010 and has not given any indication that he would be willing to represent Ireland.

However, as a fringe player at Spurs, the 25-year-old ex Sheffield United and Norwich City player is well down the pecking order at England level and may consider a switch in the future.

But that lack of playing time at club level would be a concern, having made just three league appearances this season.

 

Mark Noble

Mark Noble of England and John Joe O'Toole of Ireland in an U21 match five years ago ©INPHO/Donall Farmer

The West Ham midfielder has been in good form this season and qualifies through his Cork-born grandmother.

However, it is understood that he has turned down previous approaches to play for the Boys in Green.

This summer he returned to the Rebel County as part of a pre-season friendly against Cork City and discussed his Irish heritage.

He told West Ham's Official website:

"You never know! but I've been asked before about that but I am English, I played for the Under-21s and I have still got hopes of playing for the full national team. As I say, I have got a lot of Irish connections and great family over here."

"I think my Nan, my Mum's mum, was raised here so she was over the moon that I was coming over. I've got quite a lot of family up in Dublin.

It seems he still harbours England ambitions but thus far the 26-year-old has never been considered for the Three Lions senior side.

Only one current Ireland player - James McCarthy - has a higher pass completion rate in the Premier League than Noble this season."

Martin O'Neill will be at West Ham's match against Crystal Palace and according to reports will cast an eye over Noble.

 

Connor Wickham

Cork's Danny Murphy and Connor Wickham while he was at Ipswich in 2009 ©INPHO/Neil Danton

A star of the 2009 European U17 Championship, Wickham is highly rated. But the 20-year-old has not had the happiest of times at club level since signing for Sunderland in 2011 for €9.5 million, although he continues to be capped for the England U21s.

Currently on loan at Championship side Sheffield Wednesday, Wickham is eligible for Ireland through his Ulster-born father.

He has also played for Martin O'Neill at Sunderland and earlier this month it was reported that Ireland's manager would attempt to convince him to switch allegiance.

There are no clear indications about his potential interest in making a switch.

 

Callum McManaman

The Wigan Athletic attacker's grandparents hail from Dublin which makes him eligible. But the 2013 FA Cup final Man of the Match has represented England at youth level and is on Roy Hodgson's radar which could prove to be a stumbling block.

Hodgson said of McManaman: “We have been following his progress. I mention him as a player who burst onto the scene at the end of last year and unfortunately disappeared through no fault of his own - he got that very nasty injury."

  

Harry Kane

Spurs' Harry Kane celebrates scoring against Shamrock Rovers ©INPHO/James Crombie

The Tottenham youngster has three goals in four games for England's U21s but remains on the fringes for Spurs. But he is still eligible for the Boys In Green as his father comes from Galway.

 

Curtis Davies

The centre-back's England ambitions are almost certainly over at the age of 28. And the FAI have reportedly contacted the Hull City player who has been in fine form for his club.

Qualifying through his grandparents, Davies could be open to a switch if the England door remains firmly shut. 

 

 

Some of these players could end up wearing the green shirt in future. But the most important thing for the FAI is to develop the grassroots on this island.

Do you think the Flanagan and the six players above are worth pursuing? Let us know below. 

Main image: Callum McManaman