Jordan Pickford and Jack Grealish share a joke at the end of the match between England and Finland at Wembley Stadium on September 10, 2024(Image: Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)

Jordan Pickford is hoping Jack Grealish will be handed an England recall by Thomas Tuchel this week. The Three Lions boss will name his squad for the friendly match with Wales and the World Cup qualifier against Latvia on Friday.

Grealish has not featured for his country since scoring in a 3-1 win over Finland in October, with the attacker paying the price for a lack of game time at Manchester City last season. But the 29-year-old has impressed since joining Everton on loan in the summer, and Pickford is hoping his club team-mate will be joining him on international duty next month.

“Yeah, I hope so,” the goalkeeper said. “He’s a top lad and one of my mates as well, but I am not the manager. I will let the manager pick the squad on Friday, and fingers crossed he is in it.”