READING FC midfielder Liam Kelly had turned down a call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad to keep his international options open.

The 22-year-old had been included in Martin O’Neill’s latest squad for a training camp in Turkey this week.

But Basingstoke-born Kelly is said to have rejected Ireland’s call via text message as he doesn’t want to commit his future to the country of his grandparents’ birth.

It is thought Kelly holds ambitions of playing for England, even though he has represented Ireland at Under 19 and 21 level.

Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill spoke about Kelly’s decision in a press conference earlier today.

He said: “Obviously he's born in England and wants to keep those options open and that's fine.

"I did actually leave a message or two and he got back to me by text. I've always said here that it's the player's choice.

“It's exactly what it is and if he wants to think that England might come in, that's entirely his decision."

Kelly, who was loaned to non-league Bath City two years ago, has scored six goals for Reading this season including a couple of spectacular strikes, most recently a 30-yarder in a 3-3 draw with Derby County.

Boss Jaap Stam has often spoken highly of his potential and even his team-mates have tipped him to reach the very top of the game.

Diminutive midfielder Kelly was included in the Ireland squad to face Wales last year but withdrew through injury and he also pulled out of a tour to USA when Reading were involved in last season’s Championship play-offs.

O’Neill added: "He had not returned a lot of calls coming through at the time. Despite the fact that I knew where he was born, I thought that was okay.

“I spoke to his agent quite some considerable time ago and I think that was always going to be okay, I felt. He was in the squad before and had to pull out with a hamstring problem."

Ireland play Turkey this Friday and France away on Monday.

Meanwhile, Reading vice-captain Chris Gunter is with Ryan Giggs’ first Wales squad ahead of the China Cup tournament.

Reading Chronicle:

Reading full-back Chris Gunter is away with Ryan Giggs' first Wales squad for the China Cup.

Wales face the hosts in Nanning this Thursday then either Uruguay or Czech Republic on Monday.

But Royals midfielder Dave Edwards is not involved after announcing his international retirement. He played 43 times for Wales, scoring three times.

Reading winger Mo Barrow has linked up with Gambia for a friendly against the Central African Republic this Friday.

Goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola is with Finland for home friendlies against Macedonia this Friday and Malta on Monday.

Leandro Bacuna is likely to be involved with Curacao during back-to-back fixtures against Bolivia on Friday and Monday.

Pelle Clement’s recent run in the Royals first-team has led to his inclusion in the Netherlands U21 squad for a friendly against Belgium this Thursday and qualifier against Andorra next Tuesday.

Academy graduate Andrija Novakovich has earned a place in the USA squad for the first time following his impressive form on loan at Dutch second tier side, Telstar. USA host Paraguay next Wednesday.

Teenage striker Danny Loader is in the England U18 squad for friendlies against Qatar on Wednesday, Argentina on Friday and Belarus next Monday.

Goalkeeper Adam Desbois and midfielder Jack Nolan are in the England U17 squad for the first time. The have a double header against Brazil.

Ben House, who signed a new contract last week, is in the Scotland U19 squad for qualifiers against Germany and Netherland.