Aston Villa star Jack Grealish suffers injury setback and is out for two weeks, says Dean Smith

Aston Villa skipper Jack Grealish ruled OUT of Liverpool clash after suffering injury setback as boss Dean Smith confirms he will face another two weeks on the sidelines to continue recovery from a shin problem

  • Jack Grealish is likely to be out for another two weeks, Dean Smith has confirmed
  • The Aston Villa skipper has missed the last seven games due to a shin injury
  • Now he faces another spell on the sidelines after suffering an injury setback
  • Grealish, who has missed the last seven games, will miss the trip to Liverpool

Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish is likely to be out for another two weeks, boss Dean Smith has confirmed.

The 25-year-old has missed Villa’s last seven games, and all three of England’s World Cup qualifiers, after sustaining a shin problem.

He remains on track to return for this summer’s delayed European Championship, but is taking a little bit longer to recover from his current knock, Smith has said. 

Aston Villa's Jack Grealish is likely to be out for another two weeks, Dean Smith has confirmed

Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish is likely to be out for another two weeks, Dean Smith has confirmed

Ahead of Saturday’s trip to Liverpool, boss Smith said: ‘No, he’s not (fit). Myself and Jack were quite optimistic to get him back a bit sooner than he probably should and he’s had a setback that will probably put him back a couple of weeks.’ 

Smith added: ‘He was really good in training, but he couldn’t tolerate the loading. It’s a loading injury and we have to de-load him over the next few weeks and get him back from there.

‘We know it’s not a long-term injury and he will be back.

The Villa boss revealed that his captain is not fit enough for this Saturday's trip to Liverpool

The Villa boss revealed that his captain is not fit enough for this Saturday’s trip to Liverpool

‘We all, Jack included, probably pushed him back a little bit too quickly. He wanted to get back, we wanted him to get back and he had a little setback.’

Sportsmail has previously revealed that Grealish is still being lined up for a key role under Gareth Southgate at the rescheduled European Championship.  

Villa are planning to use an upcoming 11-day break, between clashes against Liverpool and Manchester City, to help Grealish get back up to speed. 

Mid-table Villa will also take on Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea towards the end of the campaign – with Grealish braced to impress again before the Euros.

Boss Southgate is said to be aware, and content, with the situation unfolding for the Birmingham-born talisman, and will trust him against top opposition.

Grealish has returned to training after missing Villa's last seven games with a shin problem

Grealish has returned to training after missing Villa’s last seven games with a shin problem

As reported by Sportsmail, the internationals last November are believed to have been Grealish’s main audition for a burgeoning role in Southgate’s senior group.

Despite having earned just five caps so far, Grealish dazzled against the Republic of Ireland, Belgium and Iceland to press home his claim.

There is expected to be no danger of Grealish, who has scored six Premier League goals this campaign, missing out on the squad for the tournament this summer.

source: dailymail.co.uk