Monday 7 September 2015 06:24, UK
Roy Hodgson says he hopes talented Aston Villa youngster Jack Grealish will decide to play for England rather than the Republic of Ireland and thinks the 19-year-old should make a decision soon.
Grealish impressed during Villa's successful fight against relegation last season and England boss Hodgson expressed an interest in selecting him.
But the Solihull-born Grealish also qualifies for the Republic, because his grandparents were born in Ireland.
He turned down a call-up from Republic boss Martin O'Neill in June because he wanted more time to decide which country he wanted to represent.
But Hodgson thinks the time has now come for Grealish to make a decision.
"I'm not 100 per cent certain of what he is waiting for," said Hodgson.
"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', and then he will be available for selection.
"But he has been injured, to be fair, so he wouldn't have been selectable for any team during these September fixtures.
"Now, maybe before the October fixtures, he might make that decision."
Hodgson says he will not set a deadline for Grealish but pointed out that time is running out if the skilful winger wanted to try and make the Euro 2016 squad.
"It would be nice if he says yes," said the manager. "Then he would have a year to see if he could knock one or two of these players off their perch.
"That would be pleasant but there is no time limit.
"We think he could have a very good international career and we would be more than happy if he chose that career to be for England.
"I made it clear to him, 'It's got to be your decision, it's got to be something you really want to do and that feels right'."
Hodgson says he is open to speaking with Grealish as long as just the player and his family are involved.
"What I don't do is speak to agents about their players," he added.
"I don't go to meetings where an agent sits there and tells me, and I have to deal with that. I wasn't prepared to intervene with that.
"Maybe the FA (Football Association) will have to, if the boy insists his agent is there, but I'm not prepared to do that. I think it's very inappropriate."
Youngsters Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana and Ross Barkley all forced their way into the World Cup squad last year and Hodgson says there could easily be some fresh faces in his Euro 2016 squad.
"I can foresee people breaking in," he said. "There are quite a few we are watching fairly closely."
