Manchester City assistant coach Juanma Lillo has admitted that it is unlikely Jack Grealish will be able to join up with his England teammates for the games against Ukraine and Scotland next week after picking up a thigh injury in training.
Grealish was absent from the City squad for the 5-1 win over Fulham on Saturday, a game that was decided by an Erling Haaland hat-trick and a contentious offside decision that the Norweigian later admitted he was left bemused by.
The Manchester City winger had been called up by Gareth Southgate as part of the 26 man squad to take part in the latest round of international games, but is now expected to miss out.
Lillo, the City assistant manager, explained that it was doubtful Grealish would be available in time to feature for England.
“It’s going to be difficult for Jack to make it, but I’m not a doctor and it will be difficult for me to explain,” Lillo said.
(Photo by Gareth Evans/News Images) (Alamy Stock Photo)
It is unclear whether a replacement for Grealish will be called up, with Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling among those that could be turned to after Southgate admitted that the Blues forward was ‘not happy’ with the ‘difficult call’ to leave him out initially.
England take on Ukraine on Saturday 9th September in Wrocław looking to continue their 100% qualification record ahead of EURO2024, before a friendly match against Scotland at Hampden Park three days later.
Both Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah and Chelsea’s Levi Colwill could make their senior debuts after being called up by Southgate.
