Matty Cash open to playing for Poland

Aston Villa defender Matty Cash is prepared to play for Poland at international level and shut the door on a potential England career.

Cash was born in Slough and played for Wycombe Wanderers and Nottingham Forest at youth level before his switch to Villa last year, but qualifies to play for Poland through his half-Polish mother.

He has not represented the Three Lions at youth or senior level and so would begin his international career with a fresh slate.

Fabrizio Romano has reported that Cash is working to receive his Polish passport in order to make him eligible to play for the Eagles, and he visited the Polish embassy in London on Saturday.

A video circulating on social media shows Cash at the embassy saying: "It'll be a real honour to be Polish so hopefully I'll see you all very soon."

It was first reported back in September that Cash was open to applying for Polish citizenship, and it's likely that the nationality switch should be complete in time for the 2022 World Cup.

Poland are second in England's qualifying group, three points behind the Three Lions with two games remaining.

Should Poland finish second, then they will have to qualify via the play-offs. They're still in danger of finishing third however, as they only sit two points clear of Albania, despite beating them in the October international break.

Poland did earn a late draw against England earlier this season, but even that may not be enough to knock them off of top spot.