Liam Payne channels Jack Grealish’s signature curtains and headband at Soccer Aid training

Send him off ref! Headband wearing Liam Payne falls foul of fashion as he emulates Manchester City ace Jack Grealish’s signature centre-parted look while training for Soccer Aid

He’s set to take to the pitch to present England at this year’s Soccer Aid.

And Liam Payne appeared to be taking inspiration from Manchester City’s £150 million man, emulating Jack Grealish’s rather risky signature look during training on Thursday.

The former One Direction star, 29, had his hair styled into questionable curtains and pulled back with a thick headband as he headed to Champneys Tring for another practice session ahead of the big match on Sunday.

His look was the spitting image of Jack’s famous locks, and the celebrity England team will no doubt be hoping he can emulate the talented midfielder’s mercurial talents when the game kicks off over the weekend. 

Jill Scott’s England will take on Usain Bolt’s World XI in the biggest football charity match on the planet this Sunday, as the former athletes and celebrity stars battle it out to raise money for UNICEF.

Look familiar: The singer emulated the Manchester City star's famous curtains

Like twins! Liam Payne channelled Manchester City star Jack Grealish’s signature look (right) as he resumed training for Soccer Aid 2023 on Thursday

There's the curtains! The former One Direction star had his hair styled into curtains and pulled back with a thick headband

There’s the curtains! The former One Direction star had his hair styled into curtains and pulled back with a thick headband 

Liam will join stars such as Tom Hiddleston, Danny Dyer, and Gary Neville in this year’s England squad, who will once again go head-to-head with the World XI at Old Trafford.

The team is being managed by grime superstar Stormzy, football legend Harry Redknapp and Chelsea Women’s boss Emma Hayes.

Playing for the World XI will be Tommy Fury, Usain Bolt, Lee Mack, and actor Ben Foster, along with legends Patrice Evra, Ben Foster and Roberto Carlos.

Pictures of the players training at Champneys Tring emerged on Thursday afternoon, as coaches Harry Redknapp, Emma Hughes, Vicky McClure and David Seaman were seen putting their stars through the paces. 

New Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino, Stormzy, Martin Compston and Mel C will also be in the dugout on Sunday. 

There were plenty of smiles as ex-Love Island winner Kem Cetinay, former Manchester United star Patrice Evra and Arsenal legend Seaman were spotted laughing during the session.

Natural leader Gary Cahill, who was formerly a captain and vice-captain of Chelsea and England respectively, channeled his competitive spirit in training, captured by the cameras with a stern expression.

Meanwhile, ex-EastEnders actor and die-hard West Ham supporter Danny, who was still celebrating the Irons’ historic Europa Conference League triumph on Wednesday night, let off some steam on a space hopper in training.

Coming soon! Liam will join stars such as Tom Hiddleston, Danny Dyer, and Gary Neville in this year's England squad, who will once again go head-to-head with the World XI at Old Trafford

Coming soon! Liam will join stars such as Tom Hiddleston, Danny Dyer, and Gary Neville in this year’s England squad, who will once again go head-to-head with the World XI at Old Trafford

Countdown is on! The team is being managed by grime superstar Stormzy, football legend Harry Redknapp and Chelsea Women's boss Emma Hayes

Countdown is on! The team is being managed by grime superstar Stormzy, football legend Harry Redknapp and Chelsea Women’s boss Emma Hayes

One star absent from this year’s lineup is Mark Wright, who revealed to MailOnline back in February he wouldn’t be appearing at Soccer Aid due to a scheduling clash.

In an exclusive interview, Mark said: ‘On a personal level I’ve decided not to do Soccer Aid this year.

‘I have done it for six years in a row now and I love it, I love the charity and would love to be involved and still raise money for Unicef.

‘If I’m around I’ll maybe still watch the game, but I just need to keep myself free around that time.

‘I need to let someone else have a go and maybe I’ll come back next year but for now I’m going to have a year out.’

Soccer Aid airs on Sunday at 6:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX. 

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