Martin O'Neill has left the door open for Stephen Ireland to return to the international set-up.
The Stoke midfielder turned down an invite into the squad from caretaker manager Noel King for the World Cup qualifiers against Germany and Kazakhstan.
But said he would be willing to end his self-imposted exile after regaining his fitness.
The 27-year-old scored his first Premier League goal for two years in a 3 - 3 draw against Swansea on Sunday. He also scored in the League Cup in September.
O'Neill said: “I really do have a genuinely open mind. I will get around to watching him play obviously. He’s playing regularly now and apparently doing very well. I haven’t had a chance to see him play live but that will rectify itself in no time at all. If Roy can come back, surely it’s open for anyone.”