New York, Aug 26 : Republican presidential nominee John McCain may announce his choice for a running mate earlier than expected.

McCain had previously said he would announce his vice presidential pick on Friday and would appear with that individual at a rally in Dayton, Ohio, following the announcement.

But sources close to McCain's campaign told FOX News that his decision may come sooner than that - possibly on Thursday, when Barack Obama accepts the Democratic nomination at Invesco field in Denver, Colo.

McCain campaign spokesman Tucker Bounds diminished the news.

"I wouldn't much weight into reports that there are windows of possibility," he said.

Several names have come up repeatedly as McCain's possible running mate, including former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge and, perhaps, Democrat-turned-independent Joe Lieberman of Connecticut.

Also named is General David Petraeus, the incoming head of Central Command.

McCain's camp last month floated the idea that he would announce a running mate while Barack Obama, the expected Democratic presidential nominee, traveled overseas to demonstrate his foreign policy chops.

Obama's trip was widely covered in the press, but McCain's campaign was able to draw attention back to the Arizona senator, who never ended up naming his choice.

ANI