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Jim Crawford to holds talks with Ademipo Odubeko

Republic of Ireland under-21 manager Jim Crawford says he'll be speaking with Ademipo Odubeko abo...



Jim Crawford to holds talks wi...
Soccer

Jim Crawford to holds talks with Ademipo Odubeko

Republic of Ireland under-21 manager Jim Crawford says he'll be speaking with Ademipo Odubeko about his international future. 

The Tallaght-born West Ham youngster turned down a call-up for the upcoming friendly games against Switzerland, Australia, and Denmark amid speculation that he's considering switching his international allegiance.

A report in The Irish Independent on Friday claimed that Odubeko could declare for Nigeria due to his frustration at missing out on a place in the Irish squad for the European under-17s two years ago.

“I was aware of it and it’s just one of those things," Crawford said when asked about that situation at a press conference this morning.

"Okay, he didn’t, according to him, have a good experience. I think if you asked anybody else who was involved in that squad, they would probably say they had a great experience, so everybody is different.

“For me, all I can say is that I’d like to sit down with Mipo when I can get over to the UK and have a chat with Mipo and see what his thoughts are, what his plans are with regards to international football and we can just put it to bed.

“Stephen Kenny has contacted his agent, I spoke to his agent and basically I received, as I said before, a text message from Mipo pre-Wales and he did say he was honoured to be selected, so I thought everything was okay.

“As I said before, Mipo is entitled to make any decision and I just hope for the 21s, possibly the senior team, that he makes the right decision."

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Ademipo Odubeko Jim Crawford