Republic of Ireland coach Martin O'Neill is stalling on taking the Stoke City job.

The Mirror says O'Neill was approached late on Friday night after it appeared that Quique Sanchez Flores would be staying put in Spain.

He attended a dinner with sports' writers in Ireland on Friday but remained tight-lipped on his future.

But the fact he has refused to rule himself out of the running indicates that he maintains an interest in the position.

And his hand will have been strengthened further by the fact that he is third on Stoke's list – behind both Gary Rowett – who decided to stay at Derby County – and Flores.