Search icon

Sport

07th Sep 2015

Roy Hodgson getting impatient for Jack Grealish to decide international future

The Aston Villa playmaker could still remain with Ireland

Tony Cuddihy

Roy Hodgson is anxious for Jack Grealish to decide whether he wants to play his international football with England or the Republic of Ireland.

The England manager acknowledged that it is important that Grealish gives his future the right amount of thought, but does not quite know what the 19-year-old is waiting for.

“I would like him to come out and say: ‘I’ve thought about it, I’ve got the two possibilities and I’m opting for England.’

“But he has been injured, so he wouldn’t have been selectable for any team at whatever level during these September fixtures.

“I’m not 100% certain of what he is waiting for,” said Hodgson.

Hodgson would like Grealish to agree to switch from Ireland – for whom he has played at youth level – to England, with the possibility of a place in his squad for next summer’s European Championships.

He added: “It would be nice if he says yes and then he would have a year to see if he could knock one or two of these players off their perch.”