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Roy Hodgson hopes Jack Grealish makes a quick decision on his international future after earmarking him for a potential call-up to the next England squad.

Villa’s teenage attacker has the option of playing for the Three Lions or sticking with the Republic of Ireland - the country he has represented all through the youth system.

Hodgson met with the Solihull-born star last month and admits the ideal scenario would see him pledge his allegiance to England and then push for a spot at next summer’s European Championships after a positive season at Villa.

Speaking after the 6-0 win over San Marino which confirmed England’s place in the Euro’s, Hodgson said:

“Maybe before the October fixtures he might make the decision.

“I’m not 100 per-cent certain of what he is waiting for. As far as I am concerned, I would like him to come out and say: ‘I’ve thought about it, I’ve got the two possibilities and I’m opting for England’ and then of course he will be available for selection.

“It would be nice if he says yes and then he would have a year to see if he could knock one or two of these players off their perch.

“That would be pleasant but there is no time limit.

“At 19, it is important he gives it the right amount of thought because he has a lot of time ahead of him for playing international football.

“He needs to be certain he makes the right decision.”

Hodgson has also spoken to boss Tim Sherwood about Grealish who is currently recovering from a minor ankle injury which ruled him out of the recent 2-2 draw with Sunderland.

The 68-year-old said that the youngster would not have been ready for either Ireland or England this month as he missed a large chunk of pre-season with hamstring problems.

But, he added: “We’ve spoken to him and what we’ve said, quite simply, is that we think he is a very talented footballer.

“We think he could have a very good international career and we would be more than happy if he chose that career to be England.

“I’m still rather hoping that’s what he will do but at the same time because of his family (grandparents) he has the opportunity to play for Ireland.

PICTURES - Villa v Sunderland: Action from Villa Park:

“I made it clear to him: ‘It’s got to be your decision. I want you to play for England because you want to play for England.’

“But I do believe he is very talented.

“He got ten games at the end of last season.

“He started this season injured but he is in the situation, potentially, of being a very good Premier League player for Aston Villa and an international footballer but he has to do it on the field of play. I can’t help him with that.”

Grealish has played twice this season and was man-of-the-match in both games.

He is one of a number of talented teenagers Hodgson is monitoring ‘fairly closely’ as the boss considers experimenting before the finals in France.

“I can foresee people breaking in,” he admitted.

“But it’s not just something you do just for the sake of it. You do it when you think it is 100 per-cent the right thing to do.”

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