Swansea City star Jamie Paterson is NOT eligible to play for Wales, WalesOnline has learned.
Speculation over the forward's international availability has been the subject of speculation recently after he seemingly suggested on social media that he qualified for a call-up through his grandfather.
Paterson's red-hot form for the Swans has earned him plenty of admirers, while his South Wales derby winner against Cardiff City has seen him become a cult hero with the Jack Army. Some were clearly keen to see him pull on the famous red shirt too.
After a Wales fan tweeted the former Bristol City man with the message: "I hope that @jamiepaterson12 mams sisters cousins grandmother twice removed is Welsh," Paterson replied: "My Grandads (sic) from neath!"
Connor Roberts, another Swans favourite, stoked the flames further, commenting on Instagram: "When we gonna tell them you can play for Wales..??"
Swans boss Russell Martin, who watched Wales take on Belgium earlier this week, even said that the opportunity to play for Wales would be of interest to the player.
" I think he’d like to explore it," he said.
"I think he’s eligible for Scotland as well. We’ll have to wait and see. The way he’s been taken in by everyone at Swansea and what he’s felt here is a real connection.
"He’s in the form of his life and hopefully we can continue that. If international accolades come on the back of it then that’s all positive for him and us."
But while Paterson may still be eligible for Scotland, sources at the FAW have told WalesOnline that Paterson does not qualify for a call-up from Rob Page as, while his grandfather was raised in Neath, it's believed he wasn't born in Wales.
Page himself will no doubt be busy drawing up plans for the World Cup play-offs in March.
The draw for the play-offs is set to take place on Friday, November 26, with Wales going into the hat as one of six seeded teams.
It means they could end up playing any one of Austria, North Macedonia, Turkey, Poland, Ukraine and the Czech Republic at Cardiff City Stadium.
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