Manchester City winger Jack Grealish is reportedly set to be named in the starting XI for England in Saturday's UEFA Nations League clash with the Republic of Ireland in Dublin.
The 28-year-old - who represented Ireland at youth level before making the switch to England - was recalled to the Three Lions squad by interim manager Lee Carsley after being snubbed by Gareth Southgate for Euro 2024.
Grealish was not selected for the continental championships on the back of a disappointing and injury-hit season with Man City, and he has started just one of the Citizens' three Premier League matches so far this term.
In spite of his lack of output over the past 12 months, The Mirror reports that the former Aston Villa man will be among the starters at the Aviva Stadium, in what will be his first appearance for his country from the first whistle since November 2023.
Grealish has not started a match for England since a Euros qualifier against North Macedonia 10 months ago, but he registered an assist off the bench in a friendly win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in June, albeit one that was not enough to earn him a spot on the plane to Germany.
Harry Maguire, Trent Alexander-Arnold 'to start' Nations League clash
© Imago
As well as Grealish, the report adds that Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire and Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold will also be named in the first XI for Carsley's inaugural match in charge.
Maguire was also absent from the Euros, having failed to overcome a calf problem in time for the match, but he has been an integral figure in the heart of the England defence for several years now.
The 31-year-old has also won back his place in Erik ten Hag's Man United side, although he was dropped for new signing Matthijs de Ligt in last weekend's 3-0 home loss to Liverpool.
Nevertheless, Maguire has supposedly been handed a huge vote of confidence by Carsley, who is also planning to use Alexander-Arnold at right-back, as opposed to Southgate's midfield experiment with the Liverpool man.
Carsley is without all of Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier and Ben White for September's fixtures and handed Tino Livramento his first call-up as a result of their absences, but the Newcastle United man will not be making his first start just yet.
What will England's starting XI look like?
© Imago
Alexander-Arnold and Maguire are reportedly expected to form part of a backline also comprising undisputed number one Jordan Pickford, Marc Guehi - set to get the nod over John Stones - and Levi Colwill, operating as a makeshift left-back.
Declan Rice - another player who swapped an Ireland shirt for an England jersey - will anchor the midfield alongside Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo, as Grealish operates in the most advanced midfield position.
Grealish is benefitting from the absences of Cole Palmer and Phil Foden, who pulled out of the squad due to injury and illness respectively, and the latter's withdrawal should also see Anthony Gordon start on the left wing.
Attacking shoo-ins Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane are expected to complete the starting XI for England, as the likes of Conor Gallagher, Eberechi Eze and Jarrod Bowen warm the bench.
England are competing in League B Group 2 of the UEFA Nations League following their relegation from the top tier, and they will host Finland at Wembley on Tuesday in their first home game under Carsley.
Ben Knapton
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