Villa's Jack Grealish could still play for England

Under-21 boss Gareth Southgate has revealed England have not given up hope of tempting Aston Villa starlet Jack Grealish away from the Republic of Ireland.

The Under-21 head coach remains keen on recruiting the midfielder for the Young Lions.

Birmingham-born Grealish is preparing for Ireland Under-21s' friendly in Norway on Thursday and, last week, Ryanair offered free flights to his family for the 19-year-old's senior debut, should it happen.

He has been playing for Ireland since he was 14, but is yet to decide on his senior future and Southgate wishes it to be with England.

Ahead of Friday's Euro 2015 play-off with Croatia at Molineux, he said: "The family and Jack are aware of our interest.

"Jack is somebody we have spoken to over the years, him and his family. He has been in our younger development teams.

"Up to this point, they have preferred to remain with Ireland. These things are quite fluid at younger ages, it happened with Michael Keane and his brother (Will) and Jonathan Bond came from Wales.

"Lots of other home nations are running development camps at a young age, so players develop an allegiance quite young.

"You are allowed to switch once when you are a young player and Jack is someone we are monitoring and we'll keep our eye on that situation."

Grealish, in talks with the club over a new contract after breaking into the first team, qualifies for Ireland through his grandparents.