Wolves midfielder Jamie O'Hara insists he will never accept a call to play for Republic of Ireland.
Midfielder maintains ambition to represent England at senior level
Wolves midfielder Jamie O'Hara insists he will never accept a call to play for Republic of Ireland because he maintains an ambition to become a senior England international.
The 25-year-old could represent Giovanni Trapattoni's Republic due to the Irish roots on his father's side of his family.
But former England Under 21 international O'Hara thinks it would be unfair on Irish-born players if he decided to represent an adopted nation.
He said: "I want to play for England. It's always been my aim to play for England since I was a kid. I've played for England at all levels.
"And it would be unfair to play for Ireland. I love all my Irish family. I speak to them all the time. They would love me to play for Ireland. But it would be unfair on the Irish players."
Forcing his way into a multi-talented England midfield would be a significant achievement for O'Hara, but he takes encouragement from some of his former team-mates.
Big deal
He said: "I definitely have a chance to be in and around the squad. I was in the same Under 21s side as James Milner, Adam Johnson, Joe Hart, Micah Richards and Theo Walcott.
"They've all broken through now and I think I can get in there with them. And I believe the Irish section of my family would be proud of me if I ever played for England.
"To get in the England squad you need to be in a winning team and to score and create goals. I've got that in my game.
"It might raise a few eyebrows too. They might think I was taking a step down because I can't get in the England team.
"I have a massive Irish family on my dad's side. In fact, I'm probably more Irish than English!
"But I'm not sure how it would be taken if I was to go and play for Ireland and I don't want it to become a big deal."
