Thursday, December 19, 2024

Jack Grealish, Levi Colwill set for England starts against Republic of Ireland

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Jack Grealish is set to start for England in Lee Carsley’s first game as interim head coach.

England play the Republic of Ireland in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday evening in their first outing since Gareth Southgate’s resignation.

Grealish, 28, was recalled by Carsley having been left out of Southgate’s European Championship squad.

The City forward, who represented Ireland at youth level before switching allegiance to England, was included in Southgate’s preliminary squad only to be cut from the final party that went on to reach the final in Germany.

Carsley is also expected to select Chelsea centre-back Levi Colwill in defence alongside Marc Guehi and Harry Maguire, who was another high-profile omission from the Euros as he was struggling with injury.

Colwill, 21, is in line for his first competitive start for his country at senior level having made his debut in a friendly against Australia last year.

The defender was a mainstay in the England team that won the European Under-21 Championship under Carsley last year.

Elsewhere, Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to revert to right-back having been deployed as a midfielder at the Euros.

Uncapped quartet Noni Madueke, Angel Gomes, Morgan Gibbs-White and Tino Livramento will all be hoping to make their debuts after receiving call-ups to the senior side for the first time.

England are without forwards Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins, who withdrew from international duty earlier this week.

They continue their Nations League campaign against Finland at Wembley on Tuesday evening.

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(Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

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