Pep Guardiola insists Jack Grealish is not fit despite England call-up

Jack Grealish has found himself at the centre of a fresh club-versus-country row after Pep Guardiola insisted the midfielder was not fit despite being called into Lee Carsley's final England squad.

Grealish has not played for City since coming on as a substitute against Wolves on October 20, and Guardiola had repeatedly said the 29-year-old would not return before this international break.

Eyebrows were raised when interim England boss Carsley named Grealish in the squad for the upcoming international window, in which they host Republic of Ireland in Wembley three days after an away game against table toppers Greece.

Following the squad announcement, Carsley said that the £100million man had been back in training for two days. Guardiola – who said he had not spoken to Carsley before Thursday’s squad announcement – gave a different view of Grealish’s fitness on Friday, saying that he had spent two days in the gym but that Friday morning was the first time he had taken part in training – and then only briefly.

"It is (Carsley’s) decision," Guardiola said. "Seventeen days he didn’t train once. Today is the first training and he trained for 20 minutes. This is the reality…

"He was in the gym for a few minutes yes, the last two days. It’s a question for the manager from (England) – I’m not involved. They can select who they want. All I’d say is the day after Wolves, he was injured, 17 days out and today was the first training with the team."

It is only a few weeks since Guardiola complained about Kyle Walker returning from England duty with an injury, and this latest episode is unlikely to improve relations.

"They can select who they want," Guardiola added in a terse press conference. "Jack trained today and believes he can help us