Wigan Athletic midfielder James McCarthy could still commit his international future to Scotland.

The News of the World says the 19-year-old Wigan wonderkid has told close friends and family he would talk to Craig Levein if the new Scotland boss approached him about performing a dramatic U-turn.

Levein is sure to be interested in finding out how serious the £1.2million midfielder is about pledging his international future to his homeland, with a crucial Euro Championship qualifying campaign on the horizon next season.

A source close to the ex-Hamilton star said: "James has been alerted to the possibility of Scotland being interested in him again, and it's certainly fair to say he is interested in Scotland.

"Although he has played for the Republic of Ireland at Under-21 level, he hasn't yet played a full, competitive international for them, so under FIFA rules he is free to play for Scotland. He has had no direct contact with Craig Levein yet but he would certainly not rule out the possibility of playing for his natural country if he believed Scotland wanted him.

"I know Gary Caldwell has been nipping his ear about this since he arrived at Wigan and realised how good James is after training alongside him. He thinks he is an outstanding talent and has told James he won't rest until he has agreed to pull on a dark blue shirt.

"To be fair to James it was never a case of James turning his back on Scotland - Scotland just didn't want him when he was younger."