STEPHEN ELLIOTT has been given the green light to join up with the Republic of Ireland this week and earn his fifth international cap, writes Paul Fraser.

The talented young striker will travel with Black Cats team-mates Liam Lawrence and Gary Breen to Dublin to train with the first Irish squad selected by new boss Steve Staunton.

Elliott only returned to action after a three-month lay-off at Birmingham City on Saturday when he came on for Daryl Murphy as a half-time substitute.

Nevertheless, there were no repercussions to his troubled back injury and Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy has allowed Elliott to join up with Ireland.

"I've spoken with Stan (Steve Staunton) and he'll be involved in the game, if required," said McCarthy.

"He will be involved because if he's not, he wouldn't go.

"We've a reserve team game on Wednesday so he would play in that if he's not going to take any part in the Ireland game.

"I'm sure Steve will look at as many (players) as he can. It helps.

"I've been on international duty and it does give you a break.

"He's been in that physio and the gym all the time working hard to get back to playing, so it certainly will help his morale but also it's the new manager's first game, he wants to be in there, he wants a foothold in that, he wants to play."