Martin O’Neill ‘disappointed’ Jack Grealish turned down chance to be in Ireland squad

September it is, so

Martin O'Neill has revealed his disappointment at Jack Grealish's decision to turn down a place in his Ireland squad for the upcoming friendly against England and the Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland. O'Neill wanted to include the Aston Villa youngster in his squad for the two games, but following discussions with the player and his father Grealish decided that he was not quite ready to join the squad. Grealish had previously hinted that he would return to the international fold in September and it seems we will have to wait until then for a definitive decision from the 19-year-old. O'Neill says there is still a 'good possibility' that the midfielder will declare for Ireland rather than England, but this is the first time he has actively and publicly turned down and chance to be in the full Irish squad. It is understood that Grealish is not being considered for selection by England manager Roy Hodgson for the game in Dublin, though he is of interest to under-21 manager Gareth Southgate. Full details of the 33-man Ireland squad are here.