Jack Grealish has to decide in his heart of hearts whether he is English or Irish, says Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood

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Jack Grealish should pick his national team based on how he feels deep down, Tim Sherwood has said.

The Aston Villa forward, who turned 20 on Thursday, is edging closer to declaring an allegiance after spending a year concentrating on his club form.

Grealish has represented Republic of Ireland at youth levels up to Under 21s but is understood to be leaning towards choosing England to continue his international career.

Aston midfielder Jack Grealish is yet to make a commitment on his senior international future

Roy Hodgson has urged Grealish to announce, while Martin O’Neill called for pressure to be taken off the talented attacker.

Sherwood is determined to stay out of the argument, but has spoken to both national managers as well as the player and his father.

‘I have said it is not my decision to make, it is up to those three parties to fight it out, leave me out of it,’ said Sherwood. ‘He hasn’t told me. I can’t tell him.

‘In his heart of hearts he has to decide whether he is English or Irish. I had a similar situation with Nabil Bentaleb at Tottenham. He could play for France or Algeria. He said, “My blood feels Algerian.” Maybe Jack will feel the same.’ 

Tim Sherwood says it is up to Grealish to decide if he feels English or Irish in his heart

Grealish, who has been out injured with an ankle problem but could return for Villa’s match at Leicester on Sunday, was born and raised in Birmingham but has three Irish grandparents.

Sherwood added: ‘He needs to start playing well for Aston Villa on a regular basis to even be talking about that argument.

‘I think both countries are doing a good job and both managers. It is a hard enough job trying to win games let alone trying to convince players to join them. It is up to Jack to put everyone out of their misery.’

England manager Roy Hodgson is keen to hear a decision soon from the 19-year-old