Lowry, who was born in Perth but was lured to play Under-21 football for Ireland, has decided to recommit to the Socceroos after discussions with Australian officials over the past few weeks.

Lowry and fellow Perth boy Chris Herd have yet to represent Aston Villa at senior level but both are seen as having significant futures in the EPL. While Herd is headed to play for the Young Socceroos in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Egypt, Lowry has decided that he also would rather represent Australia.

Under FIFA rules he is able to change his allegiance before his 21st birthday as long as he hasn't represented Ireland at senior level. He is set to speak with Verbeek this week.

A spokesman for FAI, Irish football's governing body, confirmed that Lowry had changed his mind on which country he wants to represent.

For Verbeek it represents yet another young player who has been caught between allegiances and has decided to play for Australia. Middlesbrough defender Rhys Williams, who was set to play for Wales, changed his mind earlier this year and was given his Socceroos debut, while Liverpool reserve keeper Dean Bouzanis and Nuremberg midfielder Dario Vidosic are among the others to have also opted for the Socceroos.

While Lowry is yet to be exposed at senior level for Villa, there is an outside chance given Australia's defensive problems that he could be given a chance to press his case for next year's World Cup in South Africa.