The battle to secure Zak Gilsenan’s international allegiance took a new twist after being named in a Republic of Ireland Under-19s training camp.

Australia had looked to have secured the international future of the he Rovers youngster, once dubbed the ‘Irish Messi’, having made his debut for their Under-17s side, and having stated his desire to play for the Socceroos.

However, Gilsenan, who signed professional terms with Rovers earlier this month, has been named in the Irish training camp this week as they build up to the 2022 European Championship qualifiers that take place later this year.

Gilsenan is one of 36 players named in Tom Mohan’s squad, with Rovers scholar Will Blease also selected.

The Irish Football Association had previously tried to tempt Gilsenan to pledge his allegiance to them, but Gilsenan looked to have rejected that when he stated in an interview earlier this year: “I was born in Australia and they’re the country I have a really good feeling for.”

Gilsenan was born in Perth, and lived in Australia for much of his childhood, before moving to Barcelona to represent their famed La Masia Academy, earning the ‘Irish Messi’ nickname after scoring seven times during a trial match.

He stayed with the Catalan Giants for two years, moving back to England aged 11, Liverpool winning the race for his signature before Rovers came calling after an injury hit four year stay came to an end.

While his international future may be up in the air, there is excitement about Gilsenan’s future with Rovers, having scored eight times alongside three assists for the Under-18s last season.

He has already made the step-up to the Under-23s, and will look to become a regular in Billy Barr’s side moving forward having been one of five Academy prospects to sign their first professional deals this summer.

Gilsenan is most suited to the No.10 role, a languid running style accompanied by close control a key asset in his game.

He scored against Arsenal in the FA Youth Cup defeat to Arsenal earlier this year, having also been a key part of the side that reached the semi-finals 12 months earlier.