Jack Grealish: England call an emotional moment

Grealish is hoping to win his first senior cap for the Three Lions in Iceland tonight having been drafted into Gareth Southgate’s squad following injuries to Harry Winks and Marcus Rashford.

The 24-year-old had originally been omitted and explained how he was at home with his family when he received a phone call from Southgate last Sunday evening.

He said: “It was something I wasn’t really expecting, but I took it and it was obviously a call I don’t regret answering!

“I was in the lounge at my house, my family were there, it was my little sister’s birthday. We were just about to go out for some food, so my dad, my mum and my two little sisters were all there. It was something I will never forget. Now that I’m finally here, I can’t wait to get started.

“It was emotional, to be honest. Everyone says the same thing when they get called up to the senior team for the first time, it was something I wanted to have done earlier on in my career, but it doesn’t always work out the way you plan it, and now I’m delighted it’s finally happened.

“I am so close with all my family and especially my little sister as well, it was her 17th birthday, and it made the whole day that extra little bit special.”

Grealish had long been tipped for a senior England call-up after choosing to play for the country of his birth over Ireland, whom he represented at youth level.

Having finally been selected, he is now determined to make the most of his chance to force his way into Southgate’s long-term plans. After taking on Iceland tonight, England travel to Denmark for another Nations League group encounter on Tuesday.

Grealish said: “It’s more or less like a trial at the moment, coming in for the first time, and hopefully I can show [Southgate] what I can do in training.

“I’ve had Gareth as a manager before for the U21s and loved my time with him. It’s him as a manager. I’ve been here for two days and I can see what type of manager he is.

“He’s made time for everyone, been around to everyone speaking to all the lads and staff, and I can tell it’s a very tight-knit group here.

“He wants to build on that, lads to come away with England and enjoy it and want to play for their country which I know for a fact that everyone does.”