The 17-year-old made headlines this week when he netted a spectacular goal for his club on his Premier League debut in their 5-0 win over Stoke.

Already an England youth international, Welbeck has Ghanaian parents thus making him eligible for the Black Stars.

Under FIFA guidelines, players who represent one country at junior level are allowed to switch to another country provided they are still under the age of 21.

And the Ghana Football Association (GFA) are hoping to use the ruling to try to persuade Welbeck to select them ahead of his country of birth.

"The GFA president (Kwesi Nyantakyi) has been in constant talks with his family and the response is quite encouraging," spokesman Randy Abbey told GNA Sports.

"There is still much to be cleared with respect to the player's career development and gaining a regular place in the Manchester United first team.

"But we are very sure that when the time is due for the player to make a national team choice, it will be the Black Stars."