Steve Bruce: Aston Villa youngster Jack Grealish should follow Jordan Henderson's example
Villa boss Steve Bruce has told Jack Grealish to follow the example of England star Jordan Henderson if he wants to fulfil his potential.
Bruce gave Henderson, who last month captained the Three Lions, his debut at Sunderland at the age of 18. He believes the Liverpool midfielder has the kind of attitude Grealish, 21, needs to emulate in order to get his career back on track.
Bruce said: "I want Jack to copy Jordan, who I watched captain Sunderland and move to Liverpool. He had a tough start and then ended up captaining them and now captained England.
"If Jack follows his route I will be delighted because he has fulfilled his potential. Jordan always wanted to be the top player, which he has now turned into."
He went on: "When he was 18, I remember Jordan in pre-season helping the more experienced ones with their running, trying to help them along the way.
"He probably hasn't the natural ability Jack has but he had that hunger, desire and will to be a very good player - which he has turned into.
"It was evident from the first time I met Jordan that he was going to be as good as he can be.
"And he has gone on to captain his club and country."
Grealish is poised for a return to action in Saturday's home game with Blackburn having served a three-game ban for stamping on Wolves midfielder Conor Coady.
Bruce continued: "There is no question he's a decent player but it's all potential at the minute. You have to do it week-in, week-out, then monthly, then yearly if you want to be that great player.
"Jack has to make sacrifices and the great players do that. Week-in, week-out they are the ones that fulfil their potential and show that they're the best player out there. He is still young but there are not many born with the talent he has got.
"I want him to go on and succeed."
Grealish had previously been suspended and fined by Bruce's predecessor Roberto Di Matteo earlier this season, when it emerged he had attended an early-hours party at a Birmingham hotel.
The 21-year-old has been disciplined by the club for similar incidents in the past.
Bruce added: "Everyone can see his potential the young fellow has got. He's got wonderful potential. We have also seen the other side - a lot of players have not fulfilled the potential which their ability he possesses.
"It's my job to make sure everyone is talking about him because of his football skills and not anything else."
