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Roy Hodgson feared for Aston Villa starlet in Ireland

Roy Hodgson resisted the temptation to call up Jack Grealish to the England squad because he did not want the Aston Villa midfielder to receive a hostile reception if he made his debut in Dublin.

Hodgson did not want to thrown Grealish into an uncomfortable situation. Credit: PA

Despite being born in Solihull to English parents, the 19-year-old has represented the Republic of Ireland at youth level as he qualifies for the country through his grandfather.

Last week Republic manager Martin O'Neill said Grealish had turned down a call-up to the senior squad and that the player was considering switching allegiance to England.

Given that next month will be the first time that England have played in Dublin since the Lansdowne Road riot of 1995, the match is likely to be charged with emotion and Hodgson did not want to put the teenager in that situation by selection him.

He said:

I would not have picked him on this occasion because it would have been inflammatory at the last minute if he chose us and played against the Republic of Ireland.

– England manager Roy Hodgson