Aston Villa midfielder and captain Jack Grealish has received his first call-up to the England senior squad ahead of the forthcoming UEFA Nations League schedule.

The continual omission of Aston Villa’s 24-year-old star has been the topic of debate far wider than just the boundaries of the second City.

But Southgate’s decision to draft in the midfielder certainly nails the theory that he had personal issues with Grealish.

The mercurial star got the call from Southgate after Marcus Rashford and Harry Winks pulled out of the squad.

It is believed Rashford has an ankle problem and will play no part as a result. Winks’ problems are unknown.

There was strong reaction when Grealish yet again failed to make the cut when Southgate announced his squad last week.

The Three Lions boss had previously acknowledged the Villa skipper’s talent but said that he needed Premier League experience.

Grealish played an instrumental part in helping Villa successfully escape relegation in their first season back in the big time last term.

Aston Villa captain Grealish has previously represented England at under-21 level and was a member of Southgate’s 2016 Toulon Tournament-winning squad.

The Three Lions face Iceland in Reykjavik on Saturday 5 September, before travelling to Copenhagen to play Denmark on Tuesday 8 September.

Full Squad

Tammy Abraham (Chelsea), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Coady (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Mason Greenwood (Manchester United), Dean Henderson (Manchester United), Danny Ings (Southampton), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Michael Keane (Everton), Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Arsenal), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds United), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Burnley), Declan Rice (West Ham United), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)

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