Jack Grealish given first England call-up as Marcus Rashford and Harry Winks withdraw from Gareth Southgate’s side for Iceland and Denmark clashes
- Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish has been called up to the England squad for first time
- Marcus Rashford and Harry Winks have pulled out of the Three Lions set-up
- Gareth Southgate’s side face Iceland and Denmark in Nations League this week
Jack Grealish has been handed his first England call-up but key players Marcus Rashford and Harry Winks have been forced to withdraw from Gareth Southgate’s squad.
Grealish was a surprise omission from the original party to face Iceland and Denmark in the Nations League following his brilliant form for Aston Villa last season.
In explaining his decision not to select the 24-year-old, Southgate said he viewed Grealish as a forward — rather than a midfielder — meaning he was battling with attackers such as Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Raheem Sterling and Mason Greenwood.
Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish has been called up to the England squad for the first time
Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has withdrawn from Gareth Southgate’s side
But Rashford’s withdrawal has opened the door for the Villa skipper to join the senior England set-up for the first time.
Rashford has been struggling with an ankle injury, a problem he has been carrying since the end of last season. He tweeted: ‘Gutted, never want to let this team down but these fixtures just came a little too soon for me. I tried my best but I have to focus on starting the season at my strongest for club and country.
‘Good luck boys, I’ll be cheering you on from home.’
The FA confirmed Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks has also pulled out of Three Lions side
Southgate is preparing England for UEFA Nations League clashes against Iceland and Denmark
Tottenham midfielder Winks has also pulled out of the squad though the FA have not officially specified the reasons why the 24-year-old and Rashford have withdrawn.
Southgate was fearing the worst amid a worrying Covid-19 outbreak within the Premier League since the end of last season.
Sportsmail knows of at least four players who have tested positive recently. Only two withdrawals is arguably one of the better scenarios Southgate could have hoped for.
Players were tested for Covid-19 upon their arrival at St George’s Park on Monday and the full results will not be known until this morning. Southgate is already missing Jordan Henderson, Ben Chilwell, Harry Maguire and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
