JOEY O'Brien appears to be on the verge of starting his international career.

Wanderers' versatile teenager could get his first Republic of Ireland cap in as little as three weeks time.

Ireland manager Steve Staunton ran the rule over O'Brien at the Wigan game on Saturday and later spoke to the 19-year-old.

Staunton is also believed to be interested in the continued development of Wanderers' skipper Kevin Nolan, who qualifies to play for both England and Ireland.

O'Brien had been tipped to be part of Staunton's plans ever since the national boss named the Dubliner as a star of the future at his first press conference in Ireland.

After coming through the ranks, O'Brien has experienced a meteoric rise to stardom this season and has become a vital member of the Wanderers first team sqaud recently when so many players have been absent through injury and African Cup of Nations duty.

He showed his versatility against Wigan when he was switched to his more unaccustomed central midfield role from the right back berth he has filled for much of the season after Khalilou Fadiga had been stretchered off.

After making just two appearances last season, both off the bench, O'Brien has started 21 games this term and come off the bench once.

Sam Allardyce last week described him as having become "a dominant force in the Premiership at right back".

Now he could make the step up to international level as early as March 1 when the Republic of Ireland play Sweden in a friendly at Lansdowne Road.

"It's good that Steve Staunton has come over to have a look at me and, hopefully, Kevin Nolan as well," O'Brien said.

"Obviously it's Kevin's choice. I think he's good enough to play for England as well, so, hopefully he makes the right choice and chooses to play for Ireland.

"For me, just to be named in the squad would be an honour, and if I was in the team I wouldn't mind where I played. I'd play anywhere."

Nolan has been tipped as a future England player with some suggestions recently that he could even be an outside hope of making this summer's World Cup Finals.

But the Republic of Ireland are believed to have been ready to fast-track him into their national team for some time.