Jermaine Pennants claims to have Irish ancestry would be considered by the Republic of Ireland if approached. Press Association Sport understands there has been no contact between the Stoke player and the Football Association of Ireland, but that his claims would be evaluated if he got in touch.
Pennant's comments came in an interview with the Stoke Sentinel.
The 28 year old said: "My grandad is Irish, so there's a chance I can play for them. I'm not getting any younger and I would like to play international football.
"And who's to say Ireland can't get to the next World Cup? If I could be a part of that, then it would be great.
"Of course, I would love to play for England, but it has never happened and I don't think it is going to.
"That's not because of my ability, but maybe misdemeanours in the past have put a halt to that coming about."
The former Arsenal, Birmingham and Liverpool player, was jailed in 2005 for a drink-driving offence and at one point, played a game wearing an electronic tag following his release.
