Ireland 'won't be pursuing' Arsenal starlet Daniel Crowley

Republic of Ireland Under-21 manager, Noel King, says that he will not be trying to convince Daniel Crowley to declare his allegiance to the Boys in Green, insisting that the player must come to the decision himself.

An Arsenal youth player, Crowley is aged 18 and has represented both Ireland and England at youth level. He was recently called up to the England U-19 team, but Ireland boss Martin O'Neill has been in contact with the player and his family about playing for Ireland.

Nevertheless, U-21 boss King insists that he will not be actively chasing the player or trying to win him over.

"We know all about Daniel but I won't be pursuing him," King told the Irish Independent.

"He knows our position. Martin O'Neill had a chat with Danny's father and it is up to them to decide. I certainly won't be trying to convince him.

"You have to let players and their families choose for themselves because it is a big decision."

Ireland lost Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish to England in September 2015 after a protracted and public 'tug-of-war' between O'Neill and Roy Hodgson.

Grealish, who played with Crowley when the midfielder was at Villa, represented Ireland at all youth levels and released a short statement confirming his decision.

"I have decided to give my allegiance to England", Grealish wrote. "It was not an easy decision as Ireland has a special place with me through my family.

"However, I have decided to represent the country of my birth".

Another Arsenal youth player, Marcus Agyei-Tabi, opted to switch from Ireland to England in November, after playing for the Boys in Green at the U-17 European Championship.