Alex Bruce, son for current Birmingham manager Steve Bruce, has declared for the Republic of Ireland.

The 21-year-old central defender was born in Manchester but qualifies for the Republic through his Irish grandmother.  He could have also played for Northern Ireland.

He said: "I'm very flattered that Northern Ireland and the Republic are both showing an interest in me. But I think I'm going to pick the Republic purely because I think they are a better team.

"That's no disrespect to Northern Ireland. I've still got a few things to sort out but hopefully I will be playing for them soon."

Bruce cut his teeth on loan at Oldham and Sheffield Wednesday - where he helped the Owls to promotion - and most recently at Tranmere Rovers where he made 10 appearances for Brian Little.

But he has since been recalled to St Andrews to feature in his father’s injury-ravaged and suspension-hit first-team.

First-choice defenders Kenny Cunningham, Matthew Upson and Martin Taylor were unavailable for the weekend FA Cup draw with Reading and Bruce partnered Mario Melchiot for the duration.

However, with just a handful of games under his belt it is unlikely that Ireland manager Steve Staunton will come knocking any time soon but Bruce is, nonetheless, another potential option in the wake of Cunningham’s recent international retirement.

Coventry striker Gary McSheffry has also stated his desire to play for the Republic and has urged Staunton - with whom he played alongside at Coventry - to afford him an opportunity.

McSheffry (23) is English-born but qualifies through his Irish father and three of his grandparents.  He is Coventry’s leading scorer this season with 12 goals.

Finally, a number of players have withdrawn from the Republic of Ireland under-21 squad for next month’s Madeira Tournament.

Aiden McGeady (Celtic), Paul McShane (Brighton), Gerard Nash (Ipswich Town), Stephen Bradley (Drogheda),  Mark Yeates (Colchester), Andy Keogh (Scunthorpe) and Barry Corr (Sheffield Wednesday) can not travel because of injury and club commitments.

Darren O’Dea (Celtic), Richard Keogh (Bristol City), Patrick Cregg (Falkirk), Leon Best (Southampton) and Alan O’Brien (Newcastle) now travel as replacements.

Don Givens’s side play Madeira in their opening game on Valentines Day. They then play Finland on February 15th and Portugal two days later.