Jack Grealish in line to start for England just weeks after being left out of Euros squad
Jack Grealish is in line to start Lee Carsley’s first game as interim England manager weeks after being left out of the Euros, talkSPORT understands.
Grealish has made just one Premier League start this season but Carsley is ready to put his faith in the Manchester City ace against the Republic of Ireland as England begin their Nations League campaign in Dublin.
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Grealish is in line to start against IrelandFormer Aston Villa star Grealish can expect a hostile reception from home fans after being capped by Ireland at under-21 level before switching allegiances to England.
Grealish was one of the surprise omissions form Gareth Southgate’s squad for Germany this summer.
Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, one of four uncapped players called up by Carsley, is also hopeful of being named on the starting line-up.
Read more on EnglandHarry Maguire is likely to start at centre-back, while Levi Colwill is set to play in the problem left-back position.
England are starting life without Southgate after the Three Lions’ long-serving manager stepped down shortly after July’s Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain.
Carsley was handed the reins on a temporary basis as the Football Association weighs up its options.
The Football Association’s recruitment process for the next senior team manager is ongoing, leading to England Under-21s boss Carsley’s temporary promotion to senior team manager.
Southgate impressed in that role having initially stepped up from the under-21s on an interim basis, but the former Republic of Ireland international says this will not necessarily be the same.
“I don’t think by any means it’s a blueprint that just because you did the under-21s you’re in a perfect position to take the senior team,” Carsley said.
“Ultimately this is up there with the best jobs in football.
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Carsley has been handed the job on a temporary basisCredit: Getty”We’ve potentially got a unique period of time, which will pass, where we’ve got some outstanding players, some really good talent, someone needs to get the absolute best out of them.
“And we have done so far because we’ve got to the latter stage of tournaments, we’ve been so close. The best person for the job will do it.”
Carsley sees himself as a “safe pair of hands” for this autumn’s Nations League fixtures, which kick off away to Ireland on September 7 before a Wembley clash with Finland.
The 50-year-old’s excitement about taking charge of England was clear during Thursday’s squad announcement but he constantly skirted around questions about whether he wants the permanent post.
“To be honest I’ve not thought about it that much,” Carsley said. “Honestly I’ve not.
“My priority is just doing a good job. The best person, whoever it is out there, whether it’s me or not, I wouldn’t worry too much about it.
“I was really – and still am – proud of being the under-21s head coach. I love that job. It’s a great job.
“I’ve got a great squad, a great group of staff. If this was to end as soon as I walked out the door I’d be more than happy handing it over to whoever.
“I understand my objectives for the next three months and that’s to do as well as we can in the Nations League.”
Carsley says he has not been asked by the FA if he wants a job that had been advertised on its website with a deadline of August 2.
Read More on talkSPORTThe weblink now says ‘we are no longer accepting applications for this position’.
Listen to live coverage of England’s clash with Ireland on talkSPORT this Saturday.
