Jack Grealish receives first England call-up as Marcus Rashford withdraws with injury

Aston Villa captain is set to make his senior international debut in September

Jack Grealish has received his first England call-up after Marcus Rashford and Harry Winks withdrew from Gareth Southgate’s squad with injury.

Grealish’s omission by Southgate was considered somewhat controversial last week, but he is now set to make his senior international debut for England in September after joining up with the rest of the squad on Monday.

Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Wolves’ Conor Coady also received late call-ups last week ahead of the Three Lions’ fixtures against Iceland and Denmark as Southgate juggles a string of injury problems.

Asked about Grealish’s initial absence last week, Southgate said: “I’m grown up enough to understand that players are going to be disappointed if they’re not selected.

“But you can’t compare selecting Kalvin [Phillips] with selecting Jack – it’s a different position. Jack’s not a defensive pivot. In my view, he’s a winger or a number 10.

“We have fantastic competition for places in that area of the pitch. I just see others being ahead of Jack at the moment.”

Grealish featured in Southgate’s 2016 Toulon tournament-winning side and has represented England at U21 level having switched allegiances from Ireland.

After confirmation of the squad changes was announced by the Football Association, Marcus Rashford, who is struggling with an ankle injury, admitted he is still focusing on his rehabilitation, although he is expected to be fit for the start of the Premier League season.

“Gutted. Never want to let this team down but these fixtures just came a little too soon for me,” Rashford wrote. ”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.”

Leeds’ Kalvin Phillips, Manchester City’s Phil Foden and Manchester United’s Mason Greenwood also received their first senior call-ups as part of Southgate’s initial squad.