Lee Carsley has hit back at Pep Guardiola in the bitter club versus country row over Jack Grealish.
Manchester City boss Guardiola was furious after England called up Grealish for the Nations League double-header with Greece and Republic of Ireland. Guardiola insisted Grealish was not fit, disparagingly called Carsley “the UK manager” and insisted the Football Association had not been in contact.
Grealish was one of EIGHT players to withdraw from the England squad on Monday but Carsley revealed that the City forward did report up for duty – only to be sent home again. England interim boss Carsley also insisted there had been “brilliant” communication between the FA medics and City.
Carsley said: “So the medical teams are constantly talking throughout squad selection, regardless of whether there are games or not. 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.”
England desperately need to beat Greece in Athens to stand any chance of winning their Group and avoiding a Nations League play-off next March. But they will have to do without a raft of big names including Grealish, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
However, Carsley denied that the drop outs meant they were disrespecting the shirt and him as interim boss. Carsley added: “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.”
