Hodgson:  Grealish a boost for England ahead Euro 2020

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has thrown his weight behind Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish in his battle to make the England squad for this summer’s European Championships.

The playmaker returned from a shin injury as a substitute in Thursday’s goalless draw with Everton and again looks likely to be restricted to a cameo role against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Grealish has missed three months of football and it leaves Gareth Southgate with a decision to make over whether to pick the attacker with the Euros due to start in a month’s time.

“It was a fortune moment in time when Jack decided he would commit himself to England,” former England boss Hodgson said.

“Since that time, he has matured and improved as a player enormously. There is no doubt a Jack Grealish when he is 100 per cent fit will be a hard guy to leave out of any squad, whether it is England or any other team in the world.

“I am disappointed for him he has had to deal with this injury situation, which is a major setback because it will put Gareth Southgate under that type of pressure I have experienced myself on a couple of occasions before tournaments.

“There is a player you really want but he has not been playing on a regular basis for a period of time and do you take a chance on his fitness or accept you have to leave him out?

“It is a tough, tough decision, but is Jack good enough and would he be a player in his best form that could make a difference to this England team? I think everyone would agree he could.”

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Grealish looked to have guaranteed his place in Southgate’s squad last winter with a string of excellent displays after he finally made his international bow in September.

The 25-year-old could have played for the Republic of Ireland and did represent their youth teams before Hodgson, during his time as England manager, was one of many to convince him to commit to England in 2015.