Former Swansea City midfielder Matt Grimes is being lined up for international selection by Wales - but only if the Football Association of Wales (FAW) can agree a change to eligibility rules.

The FAW is lobbying football associations in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland to agree to a rule change which would allow players over the age of 18, who have been registered with a club based in one of the home nations for at least five years, to represent that country.

FAW sources say its proposal would align the home nations to the current Fifa eligibility rules.

In 2009, the home nations' associations agreed that, other than through birthplace, parents or grandparents, players can only represent Wales, England, Scotland or Northern Ireland if they have had five years of continuous education up to the age of 18 in that country.

But the plans put forward by the FAW would allow anyone registered with a club in the home nations for at least five years to become eligible to play international football for that country.

Exeter-born Grimes left Swansea for Coventry City at the end of last month, but before that had spent 10 years with the Swans.

Under proposals put forward by the FAW, the 29-year-old would qualify for Wales and would certainly feature in the plans of Wales head coach Craig Bellamy for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Had the rule been in place already, players such as former Swansea Premier League stars Leon Britton and Angel Rangel would have been eligible for Wales.

Cardiff City midfielder Joe Ralls would also be eligible under the FAW proposals.

One potential headache for the FAW is that Wales-qualified youngsters who move to clubs in England, Scotland or Northern Ireland could then become eligible to play international football elsewhere once they complete five years' residency.