WOLVES DEFENDER RICHARD Stearman has been given the green light to represent the Republic of Ireland.
Stearman and Reading’s Alex Pearce are finally eligible to play in competitive internationals after FIFA rubber-stamped their transfers, an FAI spokesman told TheScore.ie.
Stearman was born in the West Midlands and represented England at U21 level.
But the 26-year-old, who has Irish-born grandparents, applied for an Irish passport and asked the FAI to begin the long eligibility process.
Stearman could make his debut in next month’s Poznan friendly against Poland but he will have to wait until the start of the Euro 2016 qualifiers next autumn for a competitive appearance.
Pearce has already scored for Ireland after Giovanni Trapattoni capped him in last year’s friendly against Oman.
The 24-year-old, who also qualified to play for Scotland through his parents, had previously been capped at U19 and U21 level by the Scots.
