Harry Arter’s Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill brushed off any concerns that the Cherries midfielder might switch his international allegiance to England.

Arter’s superb club form this season led to Sky Sports’ pair Jeff Stelling and Paul Merson, apparently oblivious to his three Irish caps, mooting the idea of the 26-year-old being called into Gareth Southgate’s first England squad.

Nevertheless, the fact the Londoner’s Ireland appearances have all come in friendlies - against England, Holland and Oman - means he remains free to represent the country of his birth.

"I had no idea. I didn’t know that," said O’Neill,” when the possibility of Arter defecting was put to him.

"Well, he hasn’t played a competitive game for us, so the choice is entirely up to the player,”

The injury Arter sustained in Cherries' draw at Watford last week forced him out of Ireland’s World Cup qualifying victory over Georgia on Thursday night.

He is considered unlikely to be fit for the Republic’s game in Moldova on Sunday, meaning the issue will not be definitively resolved in this international break.