Family tears over Gibbs-White England call up

Brian Gibbs (l) said he was very proud of his grandson, pictured with his grandmother Julie and girlfriend Britney

The grandfather of a footballer called up to play for England said the family had been in tears and the news had still not yet sunk in.

Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White is in the squad for the first two Nations League fixtures, next month.

Brian Gibbs, from Stafford, said his grandson, a former Wolverhampton Wanderers player, was "over the moon" at being chosen and called him in tears to let him know the news.

"It's unbelievable," he said adding the family were proud of him and that Gibbs-White deserved it for his hard work. "It hasn't sunk in you know - someone from Stafford that's been selected for the England squad - it's brilliant."

England interim manager Lee Carsley named his squad on Thursday and said the midfielder, born in Stafford, was "difficult to play against".

It is his first senior call-up, although Gibbs-White has previously played under Carsley being part of the Under 21 team which won the European Championships last summer.

• 'Our grandson, from Stafford, selected for England'

"He's won the Under 17 World Cup. He's won the Under 21's Euros, now he's effectively in the main England squad - that's brilliant," his grandfather said.

He added he did not think his grandson had been expecting the news.

"He's phoned me up and he's in tears - yes, he's been in tears, his nan's been in tears.

"He's way over the moon Morgan is, way over the moon."

He said Gibbs-White was "just enjoying his football at the moment" and had no pressure on him.

Mr Gibbs said the Forest fans had been amazing to his grandson and he loved hearing them sing his name

"I know I'm his grandad but I've watched since he was picked up by Wolves when he was eight but he's flourished a lot - big time - he's more grown up now."

He said he would take him to a park when he was four or five and watch him play and he was proud to see him progress at Wolves and now Forest.

He said he cannot wait to watch him play for England and hoped it inspired younger children to keep going with football and "show your talent and go for it".