DENNIS CIRKIN will be offered the opportunity to switch international allegiance to the Republic of Ireland if he continues his current development with Sunderland.

Cirkin was born in Dublin to parents of Latvian descent, but moved to London when he was only three.

He made his England representative debut at Under-16s level, and has played with every England age-group team through to the Under-20s.

However, he remains eligible to play senior international football for the Republic of Ireland, and irish boss Stephen Kelly has confirmed that the Sunderland defender is on his radar.

“I know all about Dennis,” said Kelly. “He declared for England, so we’ll have to see on that one.

“He’s just focusing on Sunderland this season. I’ve asked that question (about his potential future availability for Ireland) and I’m not even 100 per cent sure. It’s yet to be confirmed that he can switch, and he hasn’t applied to do so.”

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Cirkin joined Sunderland from Tottenham in 2021, and has made 69 senior appearances for the Black Cats over the course of the last two seasons.

The 21-year-old will enter the final year of his contract later this month, and the Sunderland hierarchy are expected to hold talks over his future before the start of next season.

As part of the deal that took him to the Stadium of Light, Tottenham inserted a buy-back clause that gives them first refusal if he was to move on at any stage during his current contract.