Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill says there will be “opportunities there” for Ronan Hale in future international windows.
The former Cliftonville striker, who moved to Scottish Premiership side Ross County during the summer, represented the Republic of Ireland at underage level but has started the process of switching his international allegiance.
Clearance has not come in time for the Nations League double-header against Luxembourg and Bulgaria next week, but O’Neill has been impressed with the 25-year-old’s form with the Staggies.
“I think international football helps any player. If you get the opportunity to play it, you should take it,” said O’Neill.
“We’ve had conversations with other players who are eligible but have chosen not to at this particular time. Ronan was very willing to do it.
“He’s at an age, 25, at Ross County where he need to hit the ground running which I think he has done.”
O’Neill has included only four strikers in his first Nations League squad with Exeter City’s Josh Magennis, 34, the only player in the panel with more than six international goals to their name.
“It’s a position where if you look at Josh and Conor Washington, they’re on the wrong side of 30 as well,” O’Neill added.
“There’s opportunities there for people, especially in the attacking positions, to come into the squad and do well.”