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Martin O’Neill has announced that Aston Villa’s Scott Hogan has declared for Republic of Ireland.

This decision comes after the 24-year-old had a face-to-face meeting with the ex-Villa boss.

The striker, who made the move from Brentford to B6 last January, qualifies for Ireland through his grandparents.

He has formally applied for an Irish passport, but it is unsure as to whether the paperwork will be completed before Ireland’s World Cup qualifier’s against Georgia and Serbia.

Speaking at the announcement of his 39-man squad for the upcoming games, O’Neill stated that Hogan has genuine enthusiasm about playing for Ireland and this decision is not a result of his failure to earn an England call-up.

In an interview with the Irish Independent, he said: “He's mentioned his reasons before and I think he felt he probably felt that he might not have been up to it at that stage because he might not have been fit enough.

“There seemed to be an impasse. There's no point in me going into that detail but it certainly wasn't from the player."

Hogan is yet to open his account for Villa this campaign, but his 14 goals for Brentford last season suggests he has an eye for goal.

He currently responsible for leading the line for the Villans while Jonathan Kodjia recovers from an ankle injury.

If he is able to get a few goals under his belt, O’Neill may consider him for the qualifiers taking place in September - that is if formalities are dealt with in time, though.

Mile Jedinak, who is currently recovering from a groin injury, has been named in a 30 man provisional squad for Australia's World Cup qualifiers next month.