Jack Grealish confident of earning England call-up

Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish is confident that he will be able to force his way into Gareth Southgate's England squad.

The 24-year-old represented the Republic of Ireland at youth level before switching his allegiance to England, and the midfielder turned out on seven occasions for England's Under-21 side.

Grealish is yet to feature for the Three Lions senior team, however, and is behind the likes of Mason Mount and James Maddison when it comes to Southgate's thinking.

The Villa skipper has refused to be disheartened by his absence, though, and is eyeing a spot in the next squad which will be announced at the start of October.

"I think the position I play at the moment there are so many talented players out there: Madders, Dele [Alli], Mason Mount and [Jesse] Lingard, so many good young English players. So there is a lot of competition there but I know I can play. I back myself to get into the England team," Grealish told the London Evening Standard.

"[I need to] add goals and assists to my game. At the start of the season I know I haven't been playing to the standard I know I can. I can perform better. From being in the Championship last year, now to being in the Premier League it is going to take a bit of time.

"I was speaking to John Terry the other day and he said it always took him five or six games to get to the standard he knew he could be at and I think that is the same as me at the moment.

"I know how good I actually am, how good I can be and I want to start adding goals and assists to my game, I am sure I can force my way into the England team."

Grealish has scored once and provided two assists in six appearances for Villa in the early stages of the 2019-20 campaign.