Sykes was previously part of Ian Baraclough's Northern Ireland U21 squad but is now not set to feature in the senior side's upcoming Nations League campaign
Monday 24 August 2020 10:15, UK
Oxford United midfielder Mark Sykes is expected to switch international allegiance from Northern Ireland to Republic of Ireland.
Sykes, who has informed the Irish FA (IFA) of his decision, was named in three squads under former manager Michael O'Neill but has not made a senior appearance for Northern Ireland.
The development is a blow for Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough, who was expected to name Sykes in his first senior squad on Monday.
Northern Ireland will begin their second Nations League campaign with an away game against Romania on September 4, before they host Norway three days later.
Sykes, 23, was previously part of Baraclough's U21 squad and made 11 appearances.
The IFA is understood to be disappointed at the decision.
Sykes earned his first Northern Ireland call-up in May 2019 and was included in the squad for games against Luxembourg and Germany last September.
The former Glenavon midfielder was also in the squad for the Euro 2020 qualifying play-off semi-final against Bosnia-Herzegovina when it was named by O'Neill in March, however that fixture was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and is now scheduled to be played in October.
Sykes scored for Oxford as Karl Robinson's side lost 2-1 against Wycombe in July's League One play-off final at Wembley.
