Northern Ireland

Oxford United midfielder Mark Sykes set to switch allegiance from Northern Ireland to Republic

Northern Ireland's new senior manager, Ian Baraclough, gives instructions to Mark Sykes during an under-21 game in 2018. Picture by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press
Northern Ireland's new senior manager, Ian Baraclough, gives instructions to Mark Sykes during an under-21 game in 2018. Picture by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press Northern Ireland's new senior manager, Ian Baraclough, gives instructions to Mark Sykes during an under-21 game in 2018. Picture by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press

A promising footballer who has been capped for Northern Ireland's under-21s is set to switch his allegiance to the Republic.

Midfielder Mark Sykes (23), who plays for League One team Oxford United, has reportedly informed the Irish Football Association that he does not wish to be considered for inclusion in the Northern Ireland senior squad for its upcoming Nations League games.

This would enable him to be considered in the Republic of Ireland's squad - which will also be announced today - for fixtures against Bulgaria and Finland next month.

Sykes, who is from Belfast, lined out for Irish League side Glenavon before travelling to England to join Oxford in January 2019.

Capped 11 times for the Northern Ireland under-21 side, he was selected for the senior squad on three occasions by Michael O'Neill but did not play.

Ian Baraclough, who picked Sykes when he was under-21 manager, has recently taken over from O'Neill as senior boss and will name his first squad today.

However, the BBC reported that Sykes has asked not to be considered.

The IFA has lost several emerging talents to the Republic in recent years, with some having switched allegiance after playing for Northern Ireland at under-age level.

If chosen for the Republic, Sykes would become the latest in a line of players born in the north to choose to wear the jersey, including the Derry trio of James McClean, Shane Duffy and Darron Gibson.