Former Republic of Ireland manager Jack Charlton believes Stephen Ireland's international future can be easily resolved by the player himself.

The 73-year-old believes Ireland can dictate his own future but is shocked by the player's behaviour.

Charlton said: "Apologise, come and play and say you're sorry for what you said and what you did or bugger off and don't bother.

"I wouldn't have stood for that at all.

"I never had anybody say to me that they didn't want to play, for Ireland, that was unheard of.

"I don't know what he's thinking."