FOOTBALLER Danny Drinkwater turned down playing for England last week — but enjoyed a first date with a TV reality star instead.
Boss Gareth Southgate said the midfielder, 27, had told him he “wasn’t ready”.
But the Chelsea star spent Tuesday night with Big Brother’s Georgina Leigh Cantwell as England took on Brazil at Wembley.
A source close to Georgina, 24, said: “Danny might have not felt up for playing for England — but he was definitely up for a night with Georgina.
“He invited her to his place and ordered a Chinese takeaway, presumably as he didn’t want to be seen out enjoying himself.
“He told her he was injured so he couldn’t play. They spent all evening together and Georgina left his flat around midnight after she decided she didn’t want to spend the night there.
“The next day they swapped text messages, with both saying what a great time they’d had. They agreed they’d do another dinner soon.”
It is understood Georgina met Drinkwater through a mutual friend earlier this year. But it not known when their Tuesday night date was arranged.
The source went on: “Georgina has dated footballers in the past but Danny really caught her eye.
“They had a great night and she is keen to see him again soon. She is really hoping he feels the same way about her.”
Drinkwater, who has won three England caps, signed for Chelsea from Leicester for £35million on transfer deadline day in August.
But he only made his debut last month after injuries — and was criticised for declining his first England call up under Southgate.
When quizzed about the snub, the England boss said: “He felt he wasn’t ready yet to play this level. If Danny didn’t feel he was ready for that I can understand it.”
But ex-England skipper Alan Shearer accused him of having “the wrong attitude”. He said: “I cannot question players withdrawing from international duty claiming they are injured.
“The one thing I do question is a player apparently refusing a call-up because he claims he has not played enough football. Danny Drinkwater, what were you thinking?”
Georgina, who describes herself as a “British It Girl” had her first taste of reality TV in E4 series Taking New York in 2015.
The following year the star, who splits her time between London and Manhattan appeared in Big Brother, where she had a turbulent relationship with co-star Jackson Blyton.
They got engaged, only to call it off when he rekindled his relationship with an ex.
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