Jack Grealish is included in the England squad despite being injured because the coaching staff likely believes he may recover in time for key matches or wants him involved in team preparations.

Jack Grealish has been called up for England’s November internationals, despite not playing for Manchester City for nearly three weeks. City manager Pep Guardiola had previously stated that Grealish had “no chance” of being fit for upcoming games. England interim manager Lee Carsley didn’t make many surprise selections in his final squad, with key players like Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Bukayo Saka all included, while injury-prone players were predictably left out. However, Grealish’s selection has caught attention.

Under Carsley’s short-term leadership, Grealish has been in great form, scoring twice in three matches, matching the goal tally he achieved over 36 caps with Gareth Southgate. His inclusion was not a question of talent but rather of fitness concerns.

After briefly appearing in City’s first game following the October international break, Grealish suffered a groin injury that ruled him out of multiple matches, including the record-breaking win over Sparta Prague in the Champions League and recent Premier League games. Guardiola initially suggested that Grealish might return within a week to ten days, but the injury worsened, sidelining him for five games over three weeks.

Carsley expressed cautious optimism, saying the England staff are closely coordinating with City’s medical team and expect Grealish to be fit. He mentioned Grealish’s recent training sessions and emphasized his importance both on and off the field, calling him a player with a contagious enthusiasm for playing with the national team. If Grealish proves match-ready for England’s games against Greece and the Republic of Ireland, he may also be in line to return for City’s upcoming Premier League clash with Brighton.