Roy Hodgson: Jack Grealish has England future if he wants it
Thursday 21 May 2015 22:57, UK
Roy Hodgson has told Aston Villa starlet Jack Grealish he has a future with England if he wants it.
The teenager has been a regular Republic of Ireland international at youth level but this month turned down a call-up to the full squad.
England-born Grealish, who qualifies for Ireland through his grandparents, is considering whether to switch allegiance after breaking into Villa's first team under Tim Sherwood.
And Hodgson has made it clear there would be a warm welcome waiting.
"He's a very talented footballer," the England manager said. "He can manipulate the ball in tight areas, he's a very technically gifted player, he's a player who like so many of our younger players is able to play without fear - which is very nice.
"We've been in regular contact with him and his family and his advisers. He's fully aware that if he wants to play for England we'd be very happy to take him.
"But he has to 100 per cent be allowed to decide himself and it should not be in particular telling him to change allegiance if that is not what he wants to do."
Hodgson resisted the temptation to include Grealish in his squad for next month's friendly in Dublin for fear of causing tension between the federations and fans ahead of the game.
He said: "I would not have picked him on this occasion because it would have been inflammatory at the last minute if he chose us and played against the Republic of Ireland."
