Ireland’s USA date still on cards for Jack Grealish

Sources close to Aston Villa's teenage star Jack Grealish are confident he'll remain in the Republic of Ireland fold despite the player appearing to distance himself this morning from reports about his international future.

Having finalised his contract situation at club level earlier this week by penning a four-year extension to his deal at Aston Villa, attention has switched to the tug-of-war between Ireland and England for the 19-year-old’s allegiance.

As Martin O’Neill had been assured by Grealish at their meeting in August that no decision on the international aspect of his career would be considered until contract negotiations concluded, the way is now clear for that bridge to be crossed.

The Birmingham-born winger has been an integral part of the Ireland’s underage squads since declaring at 14 and his first introduction to senior football is thought most likely to be for the upcoming friendly against the United States on November 18th.

That workout comes four days after the pivotal European Championship qualifier in Scotland, a match O’Neill is expected to keep faith with the squad that drew 1-1 away to Germany on Tuesday.

Although Grealish denied knowledge of the call-up on Friday morning by tweeting: "Some stuff in the papers today about me that I didn't even know myself", other family members took to social media to express their excitement at the prospect of their relative facing Villa team-mate Brad Guzan at Lansdowne Road.

Guzan, a pal of Grealish's at Villa Park, has taken over the mantle of USA's first-choice goalkeeper following the year-long withdrawal from the international arena by Tim Howard.

O’Neill only last week reiterated his admiration for Grealish, while insisting he was prepared to be patient on the matter.

“Jack and his father (Kevin) know we’d be keen to him,” said the Derryman. “He is trying to break through at Villa and, of course, he’s a very, very decent player.

“I’m not going to apply pressure. People will make up their own minds; it’s their lives.”