St Mary’s gets nod for Kosovo qualifier

THE FA is set to confirm st Mary’s as the venue for england’s euro 2020 qualifier against Kosovo on september 10.

The FA are keen to take the england team around the country as they look to capitalise on the renewed euphoria surrounding Gareth southgate’s side after finishing fourth at last summer’s World Cup.

england played Costa Rica at leeds’ elland Road in their final World Cup warm-up match in June and switzerland in a friendly at the King Power stadium in leicester in september. st Mary’s last hosted england in 2002, a 2-2 draw with Macedonia.

Meanwhile, Astonvilla forward Jack Grealish will be in the reckoning for an england call-up next season — provided he is playing in the Premier league. southgate is reluctant to select players from the Championship, though he has kept faith with goalkeeper Jack Butland since stoke’s relegation.

But even Butland has been told he must be playing top-flight football next season if he wants to stay in the Three lions squad.

Grealish — who saw a move to the Premier league with Tottenham fall through last summer — is firmly on southgate’s radar, underlined by the england manager’s visit to villa Park on saturday to watch the 23-yearold play against Blackburn.

villa are in the hunt for a play- off spot, but southgate wants Grealish to be playing in the Premier league before seriously considering the former england Under 21 star.