Ireland retort on England's Grealish stance

Grealish, who was born in Solihull, has played all his age group football for Ireland but has twice turned down call-ups to the senior squad.

After England's 6-0 win over San Marino on Saturday that confirmed their place at Euro 2016, Hodgson revealed he had made a personal intervention to try to persuade Grealish to pledge his future to the land of his birth.

Hodgson said: "We've spoken and what we've told him, 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.

"I'm still hoping that's what he will do but, at the same time, because of his family (grandparents) he has the opportunity to play for Ireland.

"I made it clear to him - 'it's got to be your decision, it's got to be something you really want to do and that feels right.'

"I certainly don't want to put you under any undue pressure and I'm not going to resort to artificial means to get you with us and stop you playing elsewhere.

"I want you to play for England because you want to play for England.'

Asked about Hodgson's comments following Ireland's 1-0 win over Georgia in Dublin last night which kept alive their hopes of qualification, O'Neill responded: "That's encouraging.

"Roy's not going to hang around. Well done Roy, putting the pressure on."