Barton, 20, played for the Republic of Ireland Under-21s in their 2-0 defeat to Portugal last Friday and also featured for the senior Northern Ireland side against Morocco five months ago. Yet both games were friendlies and Barton has yet to commit his international allegiance, with Brown refusing to rule out a future for England Under-21s.
Brown told the Evening Post: "Adam played for the Republic of Ireland last week and from what I've been told, did very well.
"But my advice as his club manager - and it's only my opinion - is that he shouldn't rush into anything. Adam is an Englishman and at his age still has time on his side when it comes to which country he plays for."
Source: PA
