Jack Grealish determined to make most of England chance

Grealish, originally overlooked for Gareth Southgate’s latest squad, was called up on Monday when Harry Winks and Marcus Rashford both pulled out through injury.

The 24-year-old has faced a five-year wait for an opportunity after choosing England over Ireland, for whom he appeared at youth level.

And now he has finally got the call, Grealish is determined to make the best impression possible.

“I don’t want to be on the outside looking in again,” he told The Sun. “But I know for that to be the case I’ve got to make a good impression.

“It’s been a long time coming but this is something I’ve always wanted to do.

“I thought it was going to happen five years ago when I took the decision to play for England. I’m so pleased it’s finally happened.

“My plan has always been to just get in that England squad for the first time, then make sure I do enough to stay in there.

“The hardest thing is getting your first call-up.

“Once you are in the squad, it’s up to you to make sure you either do enough in the training sessions or games.”

Grealish joined up with the rest of Southgate’s 24-man squad on Monday. England face Nations League matches away to Iceland on Friday and Denmark next Tuesday.

Grealish continued: “Some of the players in the current squad have been around the England camp for many years.

“You just expect them to be there — and that has got to be the aim for every player.

“When I was first on the fringes of the Aston Villa team my target was to get in and stay in. So that is now the same with England.

“I don’t know if I will get the opportunity to show what I can do on the pitch.

“But if that doesn’t happen then I’ve got to use every training session to show what I’m capable of and I’m confident of doing so.”