- Carsley called up Grealish despite the midfielder not playing for several weeks
- Guardiola said he believed there had been no contract from the FA medics
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England interim boss Lee Carsley has hit back at Pep Guardiola over the club versus country row surrounding Jack Grealish.
Manchester City winger Grealish hasn’t played for City since October 20, and is currently sidelined with an injury yet was called up to the England squad for this week’s Nations League games against Greece and Ireland.
It didn’t take long for him to pull out, being one of nine players to do so ahead of a busy schedule in the Premier League over the Christmas period.
City boss Guardiola questioned the decision to call up his player, insisting he had now been made aware of the Football Association contacting City for information on Grealish’s status and calling Carsley ‘the UK manager’.
Carsley, though, has responded to the Spaniard, insisting that communication had been rife between his own medical department and that of City’s.
Lee Carsley (pictured) has hit back at Pep Guardiola over Jack Grealish’s England inclusion
Guardiola (pictured) had criticised the call-up, with Grealish injured but called up anyway
Grealish (left) has shone under Carsley but pulled out of the squad alongside eight other stars
‘The medical teams are constantly talking throughout squad selection, regardless of whether there are games or not, Carsley said. ‘We are constantly getting updates. The medical departments have brilliant communication between club and country.
‘It was always the case we were going to get the players who were potentially going to miss out in to the assessed. Jack was one of them. He was assessed and sent back and it was as clear as that.’
Guardiola said last week before City’s defeat by Brighton: ‘It’s a question for the England manager, I’m not involved. They can select who they want.
‘Jack trained today and believes he can help us – I’m not the guy to say you cannot go (on international duty). But for my team, he’s not fit. He cannot play.
‘All I can say is that for a couple of days over two weeks he didn’t train but the people from England believe he can help them. So go. The manager from the UK knows better than me.’
Grealish’s withdrawal could give the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Noni Madueke and Morgan Rogers the chance to impress in a senior Three Lions shirt.
England will face Greece in Athens this morning, before taking on Ireland at Wembley on Monday.
There is then not another international break until March next year.
Guardiola suggested that Carsley ‘knows better than him’ as he struggled to his frustration
Carsley also responded to criticism that too many players had pulled out of his squad for ties
Alongside Grealish, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Levi Colwill, Cole Palmer, Jarrad Branthwaite, Declan Rice and Aaron Ramsdale have all pulled out of England duty.
Three Lions captain Harry Kane criticised the move on Wednesday, and Carsley, who is overseeing his final camp as interim boss before Thomas Tuchel takes over, has now had his say too.
He said:’ November historically has always been a really challenging month for us with the number of the games the players are playing. A lot of the injuries they carry need managing through games but historically we have lost a fair number of players in November.
‘The plus side is that it gives us a chance to bring in other players and give them opportunities so we are still in a good place. We are really looking forward to the game. It’s a good chance for some of the players who are on standby. It’s a good opportunity.’