Southampton first team coach Kelvin Davis has warned Republic of Ireland coach Martin O'Neill not to let Michael Obafemi slip the net.

O'Neill has confirmed that the teenager is unlikely to play in next Monday's UEFA Nations League game against Denmark as that would mean he commits his international future to Ireland. Obafemi is also qualified to play for England and Nigeria.

Davis told independent.ie: "I have seen Michael coming through the ranks at Southampton and the first thing you notice about him is that he has real pace.

"His scoring record for the under-23 side is good and all of us at Southampton were delighted when the news came through that he had been given the call-up by Martin O'Neill.

"He is a raw talent in many ways and has a long way to go before we discover how good he can be, but the raw materials are there to be developed and I believe he could have a big impact in that Ireland side.

"Clearly, Ireland's big problem since Robbie Keane's retirement is goals and and bit of a fear factor in their forward line and Michael could certainly bring a bit of that with his pace and I believe playing at international level now could be great for his development.

"In my opinion, Ireland would be mad not to try and get him in their squad on a full-time basis and if that means giving him at a cap in a friendly game to try and get him on board, they they should do it."