Aston Villa starlet Jack Grealish snubs Republic of Ireland to commit

The Jack Grealish saga has finally come to an end after the midfielder announced his desire to play global football for England.

With England already qualified for the tournament Hodgson can experiment and hand debuts to young players such as Grealish.

It was widely reported recently that Roy Hodgson will name the 20-year-old in his squad to face Estonia and Lithuania in England’s upcoming qualifiers.

The Birmingham native represented Ireland from Under 15 to Under 21 levels, but is set to switch allegiances to England ahead of Euro 2016 in France.

But he is, like his two parents, English born and with potentially greater rewards for an England worldwide possibly also a factor, he has now decided that that is where his future lies.

And in a statement released on his Twitter page, the midfielder indicated that it was a hard decision but he ultimately chose the country of his birth. It is certainly a stage where people take note and have a look.

“He is certainly a type of player we have seen at the very top level for the likes of Liverpool and in the past for Aston Villa, we have to recognise that”.

However, Hodgson did not pick him to play against the Republic in June, with the England boss saying “it would have been inflammatory at the last minute if he chose us and played”.

“He’s a great player is Jack, but he’s got to realise – I’ve been on at him every day – there is more to the game than just when you’re in possession”.