Jack Grealish will return to Aston Villa’s bench against Everton for first time since February if he remains ‘pain free’, reveals Dean Smith… as England boss Gareth Southgate awaits a boost ahead of Euro 2020
- Jack Grealish is closing in on a return to Aston Villa’s squad, says Dean Smith
- Villa’s league form has taken a dive since their talisman found himself sidelined
- Smith is hopeful Grealish is ‘pain free’ to be on the bench against Everton next
Dean Smith has vowed to keep Jack Grealish on a tight rein as he closes in on his first game for more than three months.
The Aston Villa captain could make his comeback from the bench against Everton tonight after recovering from a shin injury — delivering a huge boost to England coach Gareth Southgate with Euro 2020 less than a month away.
Grealish was originally due to return on April 4 but suffered a setback and Villa boss Smith is adamant there will be no repeat.
Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish is closing in on a return to the first team matchday squad
Dean Smith revealed Grealish will be on the bench against Everton if he remains ‘pain free’
He said: ‘All of our conversations have included the doctor and Jack. The one thing I will never do is risk one of my players’ health or safety.
‘They are young men who want to play — and want to play through pain at times. But we have to be guided by the medical side of it as well. Is he ready to start games? No, but if he feels pain-free then he’s ready to be a part of the squad.’
Grealish trained with the rest of the squad last Saturday and on Tuesday and is thought to have suffered no ill effects.
Grealish (right) has been sidelined with a shin injury since February but a return against Everton would represent a major boost for England manager Gareth Southgate (left)
Without the playmaker, Smith’s men have taken only 12 points from 12 matches, winning just three of those games.
Grealish had been one of the best players in the Premier League before his injury, scoring six goals and registering 10 assists.
Morgan Sanson and Trezeguet (both knee) are out for Villa on Thursday night. Ollie Watkins is banned after his red card against Manchester United.