The England manager has warned Jack Grealish to get the finger out over deciding his international future.
Grealish obviously qualifies to play for either England or Ireland, but has been dragging his feet over declaring for a country since his good run of form for Aston Villa last season.
According to Roy Hodgson, the England set up have already approached Grealish about the possibility of playing for them.
“We’ve spoken to him and what we’ve said, quite simply, is that we think he is a very talented footballer. We think he could have a very good international career and we would be more than happy if he chose that career to be England.”
Hodgson admitted growing a bit weary over Grealish’s reluctance to publicly announce who he wishes to play for, although injury meant he wouldn’t have been available for selection for recent fixtures.
“I’m not 100 per cent certain of what he is waiting for.”
“As far as I am concerned, 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 of course he will be available for selection.”
“But he has been injured, to be fair, so he wouldn’t have been selectable for any team — England, Ireland, at whatever level — during these September fixtures. Now, maybe, before the October fixtures he might make that decision.”
The England boss kept hammering the point home that he would really like Grealish to declare for England, but added that at such a young age, it isn’t a decision he should take lightly.
“He’s 19 years of age. 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. That would be pleasant, but there is no time limit.
“At 19, it is important he gives it the right amount of thought because he has a lot of time ahead of him for playing international football.
“At 19, he needs to be certain he makes the right decision.”
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