Dean Smith: Aston Villa had to keep reins on Jack Grealish
Dean Smith insists Villa were right to keep the reins on Jack Grealish as they prepare to unleash their star man on Derby.
Grealish is poised to make his long-awaited return in Saturday’s Championship fixture at Villa Park, with boss Smith yesterday revealing he could even start against the Rams.
The 23-year-old has not played since the 2-2 draw at Albion in early December due to a bone stress injury, with Villa winning just two of their following 13 league games.
Grealish returned to light training last month, but Smith explained the nature of the injury meant the club had no option other than to take his recovery steadily.
He said: “We had to nurse Jack back because it was a big injury and a dangerous one in terms of future injuries.
“I think we have done it right. Hopefully he can go on and see the season out well.
“I suppose the medical staff have been keeping a rein on me because I wanted to get him back. I’ve been putting pressure on the docs.
“At the same time I have had to rein in Jack too because when he could not feel any pain, he wanted to get back straight away.”
Smith, who will also have Tom Carroll back available for Saturday’s game, remains hopeful Alan Hutton will play again this season after the veteran Scot suffered a knee injury in last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Stoke.
Hutton was forced off after just six minutes having damaged his MCL, but a scan has since revealed the injury to not be as serious as first feared.
