Wickham, who qualifies for the Republic through his Northern Irish father Stefan, an Army warrant officer, has scored six goals for England Under 21s in 17 appearances.
He played under O’Neill at Sunderland last season although struggled, after an £8million move from Ipswich Town and a serious knee injury, to make an impact under his reign.
O’Neill said: `I worked with Connor at Sunderland. Steve Bruce bought him but I thought the price tag concerned him and for a little while I thought being a professional footballer was enough for Connor and at that stage that he liked the lifestyle which was all very new to him.
`But you have to knuckle down and actually have to go and do something. In my latter days at Sunderland it looked as if he was going to come round and wanted to become a professional player.
`He is out on loan at this minute at Sheffield Wednesday and Connor would be the first to say that to go and play in the Premier League week in, week out is still a big task.
'But those little spells on loan, particularly this one where he is doing all right and scored a few goals, will help him.
`I don’t think I am in a position at this minute to turn down anything and if someone tells me someone is available, particularly someone I have worked with and might have a chance, I would give it some consideration.’
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