England manager Gareth Southgate has revealed he has held talks with Declan Rice over changing allegiances - but has made no promises to the Republic of Ireland international.
London-born Rice has three senior caps with the Boys in Green but they all came in non-competitive matches, meaning the West Ham defender can still revert to representing the Three Lions.
The 19-year-old was omitted from Martin O'Neill's latest squad, with the Ireland boss admitting he is allowing Rice the time to deliberate his international future.
With a match in the inaugural Nations League to come against Wales, a cap for Rice would have committed him to the Republic of Ireland.
Although he was not named in O'Neill's ranks, he was also missing when Southgate named his own 23-man squad for the upcoming Nations League fixture with Spain and a friendly against Switzerland.
Ahead of meeting up with his players next week, Southgate explained that he has spoken to Rice but has made no assurances over a future England call-up.
"I think it's fair to say I have spoken with him but I have not promised anything because I don't think that's right," the England manager explained.
"It would be easy whether you are with club or national association to promise people things but I can't promise players who were with us at the World Cup that they will be involved in six months' time.
"So why would I promise that to a young player? I think that would be unethical. It's a very difficult situation and I can understand the debate on all sides.
"The landscape is very complicated. The way the world is families are quite transient and nearly every player in Under-15s and Under-16s are dual nationality. This is something all countries are aware of."
