MX23RW : Saturday, November 16 10:48:44| >> :60:2958:2958:

Roy Hodgson feared backlash if Jack Grealish played for England against Ireland

England manager Roy Hodgson claims that there may have been a backlash had he called Jack Grealish up to the England squad for their friendly against the Republic of Ireland.

England manager Roy Hodgson has said that he has not offered Aston Villa winger Jack Grealish a call-up to the Three Lions squad for their friendly against the Republic of Ireland for fear of a hostile reception.

The Birmingham-born 19-year-old qualifies for the Republic through his grandparents, but he turned down a call-up from the Boys In Green for the game in Dublin on June 7.

Hodgson is quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "It would have been inflammatory if, at the last minute, [Grealish] chose us and played.

"But we've been in regular contact with him, 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."

Grealish has made 16 Premier League appearances this season.

ID:224166: cacheID:224166:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1505:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Jack Grealish of Aston Villa is tackled by James Collins of West Ham United during the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and West Ham United at Villa Park on May 9, 2015
Read Next:
Grealish turns down place in ROI squad
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!