Q Radio Sport
Oxford United midfielder Mark Sykes is expected to switch international allegiance from Northern Ireland to the Republic.
Sykes, who has informed the Irish FA 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.
⚽️ @OUFCOfficial midfielder Mark Sykes is set to switch allegiance from @NorthernIreland to the Republic @FAIreland
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) August 24, 2020
The 23y/o has yet to make an appearance for the NI senior team
New #GAWA boss Ian Baraclough is due to name his first squad today
Sport on air on the hour pic.twitter.com/mECJyVlOLh
23-year-old Sykes, from Belfast, was previously part of Baraclough's U21 squad and made 11 appearances.
The IFA is understood to be disappointed at his decision.
The former Glenavon player earned his first Northern Ireland call-up in May 2019 and was included in the squad for games against Luxembourg and Germany last September.