Gareth Southgate has stopped short of guaranteeing Jack Grealish a place in his Euro 2024 squad ahead of a crucial week for the Manchester City star.
The attacker, as revealed by Mail Sport on Friday, has reported ahead of schedule for international duty in hope of impressing Southgate – who names his final 26-man squad for Germany on Saturday.
Grealish has endured a below-par campaign as City boss Pep Guardiola used him sparingly amid a season impacted by injury.
And ahead of Monday night’s first warm-up game against Bosnia, Southgate – when asked whether Grealish was among the players at risk of missing the cut, replied: ‘I don’t think we’re defining that just yet.
‘He has been really bright and he loves being here. He’s had a good energy about his training.
Jack Grealish has been warned that he isn’t guaranteed a place in England’s Euro 2024 squad
Gareth Southgate says that Grealish, who endured a difficult season, must fight for his place
‘It’s obvious this season he has not played as much as last season. I’m sure he would have liked that to be different but we know the qualities he can bring and the qualities he has and he is a player we enjoy working with and a character we enjoy having within the group.
‘I think we know where we’re likely to be. Time is our friend this week. It’s worth using the time. Tomorrow’s game could throw up another physical issue and then we’ve got something else in the mix.
‘We think we know who the best have been across the season, what we don’t totally know is how many we need to take or how many we can allow ourselves to take because of the cover we might need in other positions as well.’
Newcastle defender Kieran Trippier will captain England at St James’ Park with Harry Kane rested for the game.
Trippier will be accompanied onto the pitch by his son Jacob, who will be an England mascot.
Grealish has 35 caps for England but must work hard to secure a spot in the Euro 2024 squad
Kieran Trippier is relishing the chance to captain England at St James’ Park on Monday
‘The people at England asked me if I wanted my son to be a mascot and I was absolutely delighted,’ Trippier said.
‘He’s [Jacob] walked out at St James’ many times already, but to walk out with me leading the team out is something I’ll never forget. A very proud moment for myself.’
Meanwhile, England players enjoyed a team-bonding session at their current north-east base on Friday with pop star James Bay performing an intimate concert.
The players were also treated to a Nando’s delivery as Southgate gave his side permission to let their hair down.
At the last Euros Ed Sheeran performed for the players at St George’s Park, while at Qatar 2022, Robbie Williams sang for the squad at their team-base.
